WRITTEN BY BOMIKAZI MDIYA
With a talent for smooth talking that has won the hearts of many, Selborne College grade 11 pupil Xhanti Pakamile was invited to be a host for a special World Cup Rugby final build-up on Saturday in Johannesburg.
Popularly known as “Mr Scrumptious”, Pakamile got his break as a SuperSport Schools presenter in March after one of his TikTok videos went viral in 2022.
On Saturday, he rubbed shoulders with well-known presenters Alex White and Kuhle Sonkosi, aka “Coach Kooks”.
In the run-up to the show, Xhanti worked closely with and was mentored by Selborne’s Murray Spence, who helped to nurture his talent to keep viewers glued to their screens.
Flying the school’s flag high, Selborne is extremely proud of him.
Pakamile said: “Well, this was my first time working as a presenter but I was there for an interview a couple of months ago.
“It was a special build-up for the Rugby World Cup final and it was a SuperSport idea called ‘Generational rugby’.”
The 17-year-old’s role as one of the anchors was to interview some high school pupils on their views on the Rugby World Cup final and the starting line-up.
“I like the fact that it gives me an idea of the bigger world and kind of takes me out of my comfort zone a little, because I am not really used to big cameras and working with adults,” he said.
“So it gave me that adrenaline and excitement which I enjoy.”
Pakamile said initially he planned to study law after high school but now he had realised that broadcasting was something he would like to pursue.
“I’m still sticking to law as my main plan, though,” he said.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call it [presenting] work because it’s something I really like doing and it doesn’t take much of my time.
“It doesn’t interfere with my school work because SuperSport Schools is really considerate of the fact that I’m still in school.”
Spence, Selborne’s director of cricket and sports office administrator, said Pakamile generated his own fame through his TikTok videos.
“The relationship started when SuperSport Schools contacted me saying they were interested in offering him media opportunities,” he said.
“They needed a link between Pakamile, the school, his parents, and SuperSport Schools, and this has now developed into a mentor/mentee relationship.”
Spence described Pakamile as a talented pupil.
“I am extremely proud of him for taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him. I believe he has a lot of talent and I am excited to watch him grow in this space,” he said.
