The Moja Love channel has produced multiple trending shows in South Africa. These include Uyajola 9/9, Dloz’lami and No Excuses Pay Papgeld, among many others. We get to know the woman leading the team, Bokani Moyo, who is the head of channel at Moja Love.
Your experience in television and broadcasting is extensive. Please tell us about your journey?
I have been in television for over 20 years. My journey began at a production company called The Bomb Shelter, while I was standing in for the receptionist on maternity leave. While I was working there, Desiree Markgraaff and Beathur Baker took me under their wing after I impressed them with the research they had assigned me. After that, I assisted Beathur in producing a show about sex work called Fak’ Imali Uzobona, which aired on SABC1.
Come to think of it, I have worked on many shows and production houses and most of the content I have done has been skewed towards women. I have worked on a show presented by Bonnie Mbuli and Moshidi Motshegwa while at Traffic. I can never forget working with Pepsi Pokane on Afro Cafe and producing O-boma for Channel O.
I have even worked for Urban Brew on Gen Game, Friends like These and Lilizela Mlilizeli. At some point, I was part of the SABC news channel. What most people don’t know is that I also worked at Red Pepper and produced Speak Out. Then I worked for a communications firm, Blue Moon, because I thought I was tired of TV. But when the TV bug bites you, you don’t forget it – so I went back to TV.
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I started my own company and did educational content for SABC2. But 10 years ago while at Urban Brew, I was introduced to executive producer Aubrey Tau. I produced a show on BEE for him and went around the country promoting it. A few years later, we reunited, and it so happened that he needed someone with my skills and experience to complement his team, and here I am today, heading the channel.
As Moja Love’s Head of Channel, what does your role entail?
I work closely with content teams to produce great content which is cost-effective and of the best quality.
What was the 'big idea' that started Moja Love and why is the channel so successful?
Moja Love was formed by visionaries who are in the media space. They saw a gap in the market and wanted to create relatable content and tell authentic stories.
How has the business of entertainment evolved?
When I started as a young producer, I was in conflict with the stories told because the narrative was skewed. The producers weren’t in touch with what was happening. Now, the majority of storytellers are Black and decide what stories about us they are going to tell, as opposed to other people telling them which stories to tell.
Has the way audiences consume information changed?
The world is truly your oyster. Everyone has a phone that records audio and shoots a video. You no longer have to wait for 7pm news bulletin to find out what is happening. Information is at our disposal, so this has forced content creators to be innovative in how they deliver the content.
What kind of content are people mostly consuming?
People want to see relatable stories. Reality TV has taken over and that’s where the future is headed. But the Keeping Up With The Kardashians type of reality is a thing of the past. Reality shows make consumers feel as if they are part of the action, and that’s why they are loved so much.
We have seen changes in the mass-market audience landscape, and how this audience consumes media and television. How has Moja Love navigated these changes?
Our secret is that our finger is on the pulse of communities. We know what they want and what is happening. Our content mirrors that and provides avenues for debate and topical issues.
You found a gap in SA’s television market, and now Moja Love is one of the country’s most-watched channels. Where do you see opportunities for the television industry going forward?
Most companies cannot rely on one revenue stream anymore, so we are diversifying and discovering avenues that will lead not only to our profitability, but also to continued growth.
What advice would you give those who want to be in the television industry?
People underestimate the value of education. There is value in studying as you become multi- skilled. You last longer in the industry when you invest in your skill and craft.
