Tshepi Moji – The Big Chief!

Radio host | MC |Writer, Voice-Over Artist, Loudmouth & Bucket Hat Aficionado.

Show(s): 

5 Early Mornings (Monday - Thursday, 4am to 6am)

Social Handles:

@TshepiMoji on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok

BRIEFLY:
A native Pretorian who has always loved being in the spotlight, Tshepang Moji has always loved radio, being raised in a household that loved the medium. A boisterous, witty and energetic 20-something year old from the Capital City, Tshepi – who is fondly referred to as “The Big Chief” – was always known to wind up in detention for being the classroom chatterbox. And now, he’s switched detention halls for the studio as he gets to share his love for talking and music on the nation’s biggest youth station, 5FM.

A familiar face and voice to the Pretorian student community, Tshepang has been working on campus radio station TuksFM, since 2021. A BA graduate who is currently pursuing his LLB at the University of Pretoria, Tshepi cut his teeth MCing various campus events throughout his time there, making him a memorable face and voice at Tuks. He is also an avid writer, having written for the University Paper in 2020 & 2021, and writing on his own blog. In addition to being a massive F1 fan, Tshepi’s also an avid Manchester City fan and is ready to fight everyone who dares come against this. Anyone who doesn’t believe this can just check his live tweets during a Grand Prix or a Gameday.

QUICKFIRE Q&A:

If you had to sum up yourself in 10 seconds, what would you say?

I’m Loud. I’m An Aries baby. Proud Mokhaba Owner. I’m Full of energy & passion. But mostly energy – I can’t freaking sit still. I love bucket hats. Proudly Pretorian. And Loud.I hope you got that last part.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and bred in the Capital City: Pretoria. The 012, Pitori Mahlanyeng. The best city in Mzansi!? I haven’t lived anywhere else but Johannesburg is looking very tempting. But still, Pitori for the win.

Which languages can you speak?

Fluent in English, Sesotho, and Afrikaans. If S’Pitori counts, throw that in there as well. I can speak JUST enough Zulu to make my way around Joburg, & (don’t ever ask me to) — but I could get myself out of trouble in French or Portuguese.

What are your favourite towns or cities visited in SA and abroad?

I haven’t done as much travelling as I would have loved to have done – and I’ve never left the country, lol. But here’s to manifesting a fully stamped passport in the near future. Locally, Durbs will always have a soft spot to me because of the memories I have with my late Father there. My parents are both from QwaQwa, nestled within the Drakensberg Mountains in the Eastern Free State and that is always the best place to visit – the scenery is the best. That’s why places like Clarens and Harrismith in the Free State & the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are also very close to my heart – the image of the cosmos and the Drakensberg is majestic.

What are your hobbies?

I love listening to music and discovering new music. The feeling of finding a new record is absolutely euphoric. I also love spending hours on YouTube and reading books as well as random pieces & columns. But by far, it’s hanging out with my mates – nothing comes close to that feeling. Every little chance I get to, I ring up the gents and we chill together. My friends mean everything to me. I also love working in the kitchen – cooking and baking? I love doing it. And deep diving on Wikipedia? Rabbit hole after Rabbit hole after Rabbit hole. It’s one of my favourite things to do – ever.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done?

Jumped off of a moving bus (don’t ask.)  Stepped on a nail that went straight through my foot (I was trying to be a hero.) I also once confessed my crush to someone on stage. Which is crazy if you have lots of gwababa.

Which pets do you have, if any?

No Pets. Not yet, pls.

What’ll Google say you search for most often?

Lots of Song Lyrics – because I’ve got to belt those out properly when I do. Also, I like searching up cool coffee spots and nice restaurants for date nights. Also, my neurodivergent brain will always go searching for the most random things at any given time – I’ll look up “Moscow, Tomato, SIGNAL IDUNA Park & pasta recipes” – all in a single sitting. I know it doesn’t make sense, don’t judge me. Because of the same reason and my absolute fascination for maps, I can also spend hours on Google Maps & Google Earth, which is why a lot of my Google Search results include random places like Nemo Island, Foz do Iguaçu, the Kazungula Tripoints (would have been a single quadripoint but there’s 150m between these two tripoints) and a bunch of other random places.

5 famous people, living or not, that you would have a kuier with?

OOOOOH. I like this question.

• Frank Ocean is top of the list. I love Frank Ocean. You should love Frank Ocean too. We all should.
• Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City. Love my bald manager.
• Tyler, The Creator. I love everything about him – he’s a multidisciplinary artists who inspires me in so many ways, especially through being unashamedly loud and unashamedly true to himself. I love that.
• The Special One, José Mourinho. Don’t ask why, I prefer really not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble – in big trouble, and I don’t want to be in big trouble.
• 8-Time (Streets will say 7-Time, but the streets are lying) Formula One World Champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton.

Favorite movies and / or series of all time?

Now look, I am a solid lover of brilliant, breath-taking cinema, and therefore – the Shrek series is top of my list. Faultless in my eyes. Mamma Mia! as well? In this house, we are ABBA stans. The Ocean’s Series of movies is also among my favourites. Series-wise, I love a good comedy, so it makes complete sense that The Office, Sex Education and Modern Family would be top of my list.

Which hash tags best describe your fashion sense?

#flipflops (don’t judge me), #buckethat, #shorts, #yellowshirt, #buckethat. Maybe #hoodies? But definitely #buckethat. I hope I included that in there.

What is your ideal holiday, described in one line?

All expenses paid, tour of Europe – the full 5-Star experience including stops at iconic football stadiums and the best historical sites.

Which things would you most want to learn to do?

Speak lots of languages. I want to polish my French and Portuguese, but I also want to learn languages like Spanish, German, Arabic and Swahili. Oh, and Yoruba and Pidgin too! Also, I hope this is a safe space for me to admit that I can’t drive? I want to learn how to do that! And I want to learn how to play rugby. I think I could be decent in a Varsity Cup game? And Tennis too. I also really want to learn to play the violin, and the piano. Guitar too. There’s a lot I want to do.

A hidden talent that you could probably get paid for:

Cooking? I mean, I wouldn’t call it a talent but put me, Gordon Ramsay & Jamie Oliver in the same kitchen and Jamie & Gordon would get smoked along with my salmon.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation. It would have been invisibility, but then I could just disappear whenever I needed to. Also, no transport costs with that.

Which sports, if any, do you watch?

Big football fan – MANCHESTER IS ALWAYS BLUE! I love a good game of rugby, even better when it’s live, and love the odd Tennis match. Formula 1 is also a firm favourite of mine. Grand Prix weekends are of paramount importance in this household!

Which causes are you really passionate about?

Campaigns in support of the Disabled community always are close to home and I will stand out head and shoulders for such causes. I also support causes that encourage conversations about Mental Health awareness, especially within Men – that is something I am extremely passionate about. And without saying, causes in support of the LGBTQ+ community and giving queer voices a platform in society.

What are the top things on your bucket list?

Bungee Jumping, for sure. Getting my license. Going overseas and visiting iconic cities and iconic football stadiums. Don’t tell my mom yet, but I also want a Little Chief somewhere in the future.

Which things in the world (and people) do you dislike?

It is the BIGGEST annoyance when people are mean to general workers, waiters and the like. There is no world in which that’s excusable? Also, people who record ‘Smash or Pass’ videos? No. No. Also, those creepy ous who touch on ladies at groove? Sies. We also need to end Avocado promo because that’s nasty. So are livers and sweet potatos and pumpkin. Come fight me on this.

Which things make the world (and people) awesome?

People who are genuinely just nice. It honestly costs nothing to be a nice person. Say Hi to the people in the taxi, or thank you to the bus driver. It’s decorum, dude. Basic manners. Food is also awesome. Very awesome. I love food very much. Food is my best friend. And coffee. I love coffee a lot. (Maybe too much?)

Friends make the world awesome. Did I mention how much I love my friends? My friends make the world awesome. My family too. Especially my mom, she’s the best.

What’s your favourite thing about your 5FM gig?

I get to sit where some (most, actually) of my idols have found themselves, which is mind-blowingly incredible. Also, I get to engage with so many young people from across the country – which is bound to be cool. It’s always great meeting new people and learning about how we differ – and how we can be similar despite those differences. In South Africa, there is surely no other platform that can do this like 5 can, and I can’t wait to make so many memories and tell such stories while I’m here at 5FM.