Olaotse Kepadisa: From Kasi Commentary to National Commentator

From Kabe Village in Mahikeng; Olaotse Kepadisa better known by his followers as Mr O began his broadcasting career at NWU FM in 2018 and later joined Mahikeng FM in 2021 in the then popular morning drive show "The DM Show" as Sports Presenter. And that's where he was spotted and got the contract with SABC in March 2022 while he was still doing sports bulletins at Mahikeng FM. 
He left Mahikeng FM to focus on Commentary at SABC.

Coming from the family of football players, He got to understand the love he has for the beautiful game and that drove him to become what he wanted to be.

From kasi level to public broadcaster, we hear about his commentating and radio journey in the following conversation:

Hi Olaotse, thank you for chatting to us. Please tell us about yourself and where you are from?

Hi, I'm Olaotse Kepadisa 25 years-old goal driven Lad. Born in Kabe bred and buttered in Madibe Makgabana near N18.

When and where did your love for sports begin?

I was born with the love for sports as I was born in a family of football players. All of my uncles who I grew up under were playing football and I got to understand and love it through them, first one named after German sharp shooter Miroslav Klose, second one named after Argentine pillar Sébastien Veron and then there's Nigeria rock Taribo West. Those are my three uncles... good example of where my love for sports emerged.

Your love for commentary, where did it start?

Donkey years ago my great grandfather used to stay with me up until late hours listening to matches on radio, I immediately became keen as I liked what I was hearing. I started at middle school during break time and after school while my peers were playing street soccer, I would climb a tree and commentate their mini match🤣🤣 even though I was Mimicking the then commentators e.g Late Cebo, Toto, OJ and I went as far as to Sesotho legend commentator, Thabo Kofa. That is how it started until I found my path in this journey.

Tell us about your experience at a community radio station?

I started at NWU FM the year 2018 and left 2020 due to covid19 as the campus was shut down. I had to stay home radio free for 6-8 months and then in June 2021, I was recruited to be part of The DM Show crew as it was in short of sports presenter. I started with the DM Show on the 9th of July until March 2022 and then I got contract with SABC SPORTS and Mahikeng FM at once while I was doing sports bulletins at Mahikeng FM and commentary at SABC. Later on I left Mahikeng FM January 2023 to focus on the SABC SPORTS work as it required a lot from me.

Please take us back to your first match at Motsweding FM, how did you feel, I mean getting to know that now you are no longer commentating at kasi level?

Well..mixed emotions but obviously the dominating feeling would be fear (stage fright). It was a huge step, huge task at hand and a huge test for me... I was crawled by OJ on the 8th of May 2022 as introductory part and my first game was on the 28th May 2022 Nedbank Cup final held at Royal bafokeng stadium inRustenburg between Mamelodi sundowns and Marumo Gallants. That one will go down with history as my first appointment with Motsweding FM listeners 😁.

So you are now a public broadcaster, how is it different from where you began?

For me there's no difference I've always conducted myself as a public figure even when I was at community level. The only difference is the platform capacity and work load.

Mahikeng Derby 2021, NWU Soccer Institute and FC Maberethe (ABC Motsepe League). Can you say that was the breakthrough for you?

I am not sure about that but I want to believe so. If my current employer didn't listen to that match then where did they notice me? 😹 It was a breakthrough actually.

What has been some of your career highlights?

Doing my debut on the Nedbank Cup final, Carling Black Label Final, eight World Cup matches including semifinals, Afcon qualifiers and I'm going to do The MTN8 final this coming weekend so far so good.

There are many commentators across the province who also want to persue their dream. What's your advise to them?

Patience pays remain dedicated to your dream and priorities your dream, and don't let money fool you  there'll be challenges along the way those challenges paves you the way to your destiny. "Every Setback is a setup for a great comeback".

Photo: Supplied