SA Cricket Awards TV host is a Toti thoroughbred

Ex-Kingsway High School head boy, Fiso ‘Mazzi’ Mazibuko (29) was one of three hosts at the Cricket South Africa awards in Sandton on Saturday evening, 2 June. The TV presenter, speaker and voice-over artist’s duties on the night included hosting the red carpet and being the presenter who spoke to various award winners on stage.

“I was blown away to be asked but I never got carried away. I just told myself I would only smile about the awards once I had produced the goods on the day,” he said.

“The first person I told was my mom who has been immense in my rise because no matter the setback, she has always supported me. The greatest gift she has ever given me was her belief in me no matter what I do. I love that woman so much.”

Mazzi has been employed at SuperSport since 2013. He started as a SuperSport Blitz presenter and voice-over artist, before working his way to live broadcasts, with the Durban U19 international football tournament being his first foray into live TV.

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“It was very bumpy at the start. I struggled but eventually got to grips after numerous attempts. I attended an audition at SuperSport in 2013. Out of 300 of us, they only selected two. That was a special day and the start of my journey.”

Mazzi was impressed with his performance at the cricket awards. “It went really well on Saturday. For such a big occasion it’s all about making sure your nerves don’t get the better of you and I think I controlled myself well.

The feedback I received after the awards was also mind-blowing. Big people in the sports industry said I was one of the highlights of the night, which was really nice for me and it has done my confidence the world of good.”

Sport has always been a part of Mazzi’s life since he was young. “When I was at Athlone Park Primary, I don’t ever recall doing my homework – it was always drop your bags, hit the field and play cricket, hockey or soccer with friends and the children at aftercare. That grew with me but as I got to high school, the line between studies and sport balanced out a bit more.”

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Mazzi was born and bred in Durban and was Kingsway High’s head boy in 2005. “I thoroughly enjoyed my years at Kingsway. The characters I went to school with were amazing, funny and difficult at times but we made good memories. I made lifelong friends, learnt a lot about myself and it’s a time of my life I treasure.”