Olefile Vilakazi is the second-born in a family of four children, born on October 9 in the 1980s. He grew up in the North West village called Bodibe. He started his schooling at Matlaba Primary School, then went to Shudintle Middle School and finished schooling at Taung Rapulana High School. After that, he studied Agriculture on animal and plant production via the Legwetlha Farming Academy.
He is currently the manager of the Bodibe Livestock Forum and Chairperson at Rea Aga Foundation (a charity organisation based in Mahikeng). Responding to Mo Media's question of how and who inspired his love for radio, he said: "I grew up listening to radio, especially on Saturdays. As a result, a few presenters did inspire me. The likes of Snayman Rankane, the legend Cebo Manyaapelo, Boitumelo Korogo on "Boresetse" and the late Kabelo Molopyane.”
The light-complexioned radio personality, took us down memory lane on how his radio career unfolded, and he told us that he started at Mmabatho FM as a freelancer, before joining Mmabatho FM 107.70 on permanent basis.
"I didn't see myself in the media industry then, and later joined OFM news as a freelancer, pushing hard, and then I joined Morongwa Media as a freelancer," he said. "Funny, hey. What happened was I met a great gentleman called Jacob Molefe as I was coordinating a project called "Kaonafatso ya leruo", which was a project of the Agricultural Research Council and the Department of Agriculture in partnership with an NPO I'm managing (Bodibe Livestock Forum) today.
"As we conducted an interview, Mr Molefe said I have potential and I should come meet him at Mmabatho FM with management. Then after that, the rest is history after I joined their news team,” added the burly presenter. "Villa", as his media colleagues passionately call him, started as a news reader, and his first bulletin slot was at 2pm. "Hee bekunzima (loosely translated" It was tough), then later I was told to do a current affairs programme called "Ao Utlwile".
The challenge I encountered as a news bulletin presenter was the translation. "We sourced news via English, and then you had to write it down in Setswana. Then, in no time, I improved a lot. On current affairs, as it deals with community issues, people see you as their last hope to get help, whether it is from the government or elsewhere. "Another challenge I encountered that almost made me to quit the industry was the death threats I got on a call as I followed the ghost workers issue at Ditsobotla Local Municipality in 2018." "What I enjoy with the programme is that I can help fellow citizens even if it's not all of them, but that few I help, make me to enjoy my work."
He added that in five years, he wants to see himself prospering in both the agriculture sector and the media industry because things are changing due to technology, "so having a podcast will do and build a home for orphans, not only them but helping our nation more will make me happy".
His message to up-and-coming radio presenters is that they should do their job in the name of love and have a backup "because this industry does not have a pension fund". He said: "You come then, all of a sudden, you are gone. So education and education is the way to go." When asked whether, if an opportunity to be on TV arose, he would grab it, he answered thus: "Definitely, when that opportunity comes, I will grab it with both hands whether it may be news reading, reporting or acting, I will grab it. "I appreciate the opportunity given by Mike Nzweni, Lovely 1 Bantsheng. Ntate Jacob Molefe is a legend. My team at the newsroom and colleagues at large in the industry. I appreciate you guys, let's continue serving the nation - South Africa needs us," said the man known as Villa.
