Molato Ranokoli grew up with a deep-seated passion for sports, but it is sports broadcasting that has truly become his niche. Originally from Qwaqwa, Molato currently resides in Koppies and is well-known in his community for his insightful commentary on soccer tournaments and sports analysis.
His professional journey in sports broadcasting began in 2002, sparked by a friend of his brother who owned a soccer club. This connection led Molato to regularly attend matches at Berea Sports Ground in Qwaqwa, where his love for sports commentary, particularly soccer, blossomed. Over the years, he honed his skills by broadcasting local games, which cemented his passion for both soccer and commentary.
A true sports enthusiast, Molato is particularly passionate about soccer and cricket. He has not only followed sports as a commentator but has also actively participated in soccer himself, playing for teams such as Young Fighters FC and Mighty Flowers FC during his youth.
In 2009, Molato made the decision to focus on commentary, beginning with the prominent Top 16 Soccer Tournament hosted by former Bloemfontein Celtic player Petrus Mahlatsi. Growing up, he drew inspiration from the legendary Sesotho commentator Thabo “Mr Cool” Kofa, who remains a role model for him.
Molato’s journey took an exciting turn in 2010 when he met the living legend Ba2cada, facilitated by Moevangedi Phara and Thabo Kofa during a soccer tournament. His dedication was further showcased at the Super Diski goal month event at SuperSport, where he faced off against 5,000 contestants, ultimately securing a place in the top 13 and finishing in third position.
In 2013, he successfully auditioned at Lesedi FM, which provided him with the opportunity to join the likes of Thabo Kofa and Tsholo Leokaoke. One of his memorable professional moments was commentating on his first match between Moroka Swallows and Bloemfontein Celtic. Throughout his career, Molato has covered significant events such as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Qualifiers, and the African Cup of Nations, totaling over eleven major tournaments and more than thirty local events across South Africa.
Reflecting on the challenges of commentary, Molato mentions, “The challenging aspect lies in instances where jersey numbers are not clearly visible, especially during my inaugural experience commentating for both teams or a specific soccer tournament.”
Outside of sports, Molato dedicates his spare time to his family, enjoying activities like shopping and gaming with his children, as well as dining at seafood restaurants like Ocean Basket.
His biggest motivators include Thabo Kofa and Nyakallo Leine. With aspirations for the future, Molato believes a podcast is in the works and dreams of returning to SABC SPORT, feeling encouraged by legendary radio figure Ntate Thuso Motaung, who told him he has a voice made for radio.
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