TIK TOKER PRIDES HIMSELF WITH HIS MOTHER’S TONGUE

By: Ethel Malatji

Email: ethelsiphiwe@gmail.com

"Dreams delayed are not dreams denied!" Even though the popular newsreader didn’t manage to fulfill his dreams of becoming a radio broadcaster due to lack of funds, he managed to approach his dream in a different direction.

Molope Mokwana Petrus (29) who hails from Polokwane ga Molepo Molelemane, and is famously known as “Smonamonane ntwa swikiri”, is a young vibrant Sepedi best content creator on Tik Tok, he is an influencer, master of ceremonies (MC) and currently featured at Energy FM doing news updates on the lunch plug show with the former Thobela FM presenter.

image: Facebook

Dropping out of varsity (TUT) didn’t stop Smonamonane from chasing his dream of being a Radio broadcaster, he went on to volunteer at Tshepo FM community Radio station because of the love and passion he had for Radio. Working without getting any pay was hard for him as he had a family to provide for, but it helped him gain more experience on how radio operates, and how to survive in the entertainment industry and groomed him to be a better newsreader than he is today.

When Tik Tok popularity soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the most downloaded app in the world Smonamonane saw it as an opportunity to showcase his talent to Tik Tok followers.

“I started doing TikTok in 2020 with one video that made trends, it was even shared by Julias Malema on Twitter. Then that’s what pushed me to do more videos, then I saw more people doing the same content, and that’s when I decided to do the news reading one. I wanted to give people something unique and interesting using my vernacular, and this has worked in my favor as I managed to gain so many followers as well as getting opportunities to host big events” said Smonamonane. 

One of his followers, Simon Majadibodu " said that Smonamonane is so talented and loves what he does wholeheartedly, I was so excited to do a duet with him as he's well-known and he gave me a platform to showcase my radio talent also". 

When asked what his biggest highlight has been, Smonamonane said, having to share a stage with people like Makhadzi, also given a chance to feature at Energy FM by former Thobela FM Kwenisto Makgakga as he believes in people’s talents and does not deny them opportunities when there's one. Being called in for several interviews at Thobela FM has to be the best thing ever.

"I want to see myself having my own podcast, where young people with talent like mine are allowed to embrace their potential, and my advice to the youth is to believe in your dreams and always stay true to yourself, he said.

You can watch more of his videos on TikTok at Smonamonane.