Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
IT is not every day that one gets to have a royal title, especially one who comes from minority tribes, but once in a while, you get individuals rising from the ashes and claiming a spot in the world.
The title is reserved for those who put blood, sweat and tears into their craft to earn it.
One such individual is the nomadic chief of the Venda tribe, Godfrey Koti who has juggled a lot of things for someone his age.
“I’m a very ambitious, simple but focused and God-fearing young man who really wants to change the perception of Africa out there,” is how Chief Koti would describe himself.
Aged 36, Chief Koti attributes his upbringing to quite a number of places inclusive of the border towns of Beitbridge and Plumtree as well as Bulawayo’s Emakhandeni suburb.
Chronicle Showbiz sat down with the self-proclaimed thought leader and game-changer, Chief Koti to ascertain how his journey was leading to the fame and success that he is basking in now.
“Ndaa” is how Chief Koti would greet us, before going on a lengthy explanation of how Godfrey became Chief Koti.
“My journey started when I used to do a bit of radio with my very first gig being at ZBC Radio 1 which was called Spot FM then.
One Valentine Mabhugu invited me to come through since I was a student at BES College studying Mass Communication. I was actually ambushed in a way since the idea was for me to come and see him doing his thing and unbeknown to me, I would be thrown into the deep end and boom, there I was on air.
That was how the dam began to burst.
“Six years later, I would make my real debut, this time at Spot FM again with Dumisani Sibanda.
This was my springboard which saw me later doing some commentary work for SuperSport given my cricketing background.
From then on, I was identified by Tichafa Augustine Matambanadzo popularly known as Tich Mataz and popular radio and TV personality Admire Taderera who got me into Star FM.
Since then, I rose through the ranks. From a corporate perspective right up to the Head of Digital Services at Zimpapers and everything in between.
I love radio and still miss it,” he added.
Chief Koti’s ascent to fame and success is well-documented and his footprints have left an indelible mark in the entertainment and broadcasting industry of Zimbabwe.
Remember, this is the guy who held the fort at radio station, Star FM sportscasting for the station.
Chief Koti who is the brains behind the Chief Koti Foundation believes sport has the power to unite people and he believes that it is an obligation to help young sportsmen reach their potential.
“Having grown up around sports in Bulawayo, I would often travel between Beitbridge and South Africa with my teammates and family.
I fell in love with football first at Mtshingwe Primary and transitioned to cricket. Exposure led to a love for tennis and I soon discovered my talent in volleyball.
“From there, coaches recognised my all-rounder skills which led to a return to cricket and introduction to rugby in my teenage years,” says Chief Koti.
Exhibiting great poise in juggling a lot of balls in his hands, Chief Koti recently appeared on Plaxedes Wenyika’s video for the song Feel Your Love, a feat he cherishes.
“Working with Plaki was an amazing experience.
She is so professional and I see why she has achieved quite a lot in her musical journey.
I’m honoured to have been featured in that particular video because we had been talking about working together for a very long time and finally, we made it happen.
“I respect her immensely for her professionalism. She is second to none and I wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” said Chief Koti.
Zwashu Noah and Psano Koti make Chief Koti a proud father who was also raised by enterprising mother and uncle John Mudawu.
His stint in the media sector sired a dormant passion for Chief Koti who has created a platform to foster interactivity among creatives.
Through his Fuel Africa with Chief Koti platform, the multi-award-winning man wishes to be the vehicle of change in the industry.
Talent identification and nurturing are on the table with the initiative.
“The idea is to share stories that are relatable and that inspire Africans from all walks of life to achieve the unachievable.
Content and discussions will work towards addressing inequalities and showcasing what is possible,” is how Chief Koti would put it.
Chief Koti, a sports tourism, reputation management, and broadcasting enthusiast, has mastered the art of multi-tasking and has been everywhere the world could take him.
The patriotic fellow is very passionate about development and the country itself as he is “deeply in love” with his country and wants to play his role in its development.
This comes at the backdrop of him getting the opportunity to “travel the length and breadth of Zimbabwe” as part of his portfolio with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority where he is the head of Corporate Affairs.
If ever there is a moniker fit for Chief Koti that would be “Zimbabwe’s advocate” as he believes in the beauty of the country and how resurgent it has been over the years.
#VukaUgezeUbangene is Chief Koti’s motto in life and it sprouts from one’s need to “show up, cleanse and connect your mind to God and grace the market with conviction.
Do not even flinch in your quest for success and that is the demarcation line between winners and losers.”
One thing is for sure with Chief Koti. He is a serial winner and his collection of gongs is testament to a high level of success. He is such a collector!
In as much as he appreciates all his accolades, the 2019 Communications Personality of The Year gong from the Zimbabwe Business Awards and the Under 35 PR Practitioner of The Year award from the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe ranks high in his pecking order.
This is because these awards put him in a very humble state and show that he is actually doing a great job in the tourism industry.
Lately, Chief Koti has been hands-on with marketing the country’s tourism and he promises a very “visible Chief Koti especially from an African perspective right onto the international scene.”
There is actually no rearview mirror for Chief Koti as he is even contemplating venturing into politics in the near future so as to try to be in the grander scheme of decision-making in the country.
Being from Beitbridge, Chief Koti has a soft spot for the border town and is passionate about its development, especially Makhado where he is from. — @eMKlass_49
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu