Popular South African media personality and model Shamiso Mosaka insists she’s not a “nepo baby” despite being the daughter of veteran broadcaster Azania Mosaka. Known for hosting various MTV music shows, Shamiso believes her success is a result of her hard work and talent, not her mother’s influence. Shamiso shared all this with Sunday World.
The term “nepo baby” refers to children who climb the career ladder easily due to their influential parents. Shamiso, however, feels her journey has been based on her abilities. “The spaces I have worked in have always been where my bosses and people can see that this girl is dope. My talent has always come forward. So no, I would not consider myself a nepo baby. But I do know that people who aren’t as impressed with my talent will feel like I am where I am because of my mom,” she says.
Shamiso didn’t plan on following in her mother’s footsteps. She wanted to carve out her own path and avoid being in her mother’s shadow. “I wanted to do different things where my skill set and talent cannot be compared to hers. Because I just never wanted to be in her shadow. Now that I have found my way here, everything I have done in the industry has not had anything to do with my mom,” she explains.
While acknowledging that her mother’s name might make her recognisable, Shamiso is proud of her independence. “I am not saying it hasn’t affected people knowing me. But in terms of me walking in a room and using my mom, that has not happened. I am very proud of myself because everything I have done has been on my own merit. Despite what people may think,” she states.
Shamiso is now part of the new Showmax show Born Into Fame, which follows the lives of youngsters with famous parents. She joined the show because of her love for reality television. “I am quite private but it came in a year where I told myself that this would be my ‘yes’ year. This is an out-of-my-comfort zone year. The year that I wanted to challenge myself in what I do in the industry. So Born Into Fame aligned with that.”
Despite being naturally private, Shamiso is open about her life, including her struggles, mental health, and sexuality. “I am not really shy about a lot of things. There is very little that you can shame me about. The opening up was not the hard part. What will be hard is probably how people will perceive me. But the journey has taught me a lot.”
