He is one of the reasons why people have looked forward to the new radio year.
Ever since the announcement of his return to radio, excitement has been uncontainable amongst his legion of supporters.
Replacing Glen Lewis, real name Lewis Tshinaba, DJ Sbu has taken over on the No Name breakfast show on Radio 2000 with Nathi Ndamase as co-host and Lelo Mzaca as sports presenter.
Entering his second week back on the airwaves, Sbusiso Leope, affectionately known as DJ Sbu tells Drum that there’s nothing he missed more than being on air.
“It feels great, I missed being on air and communicating with South Africans. I love Mzansi, its people, the youth, music, creativity, information, entertainment, community, entrepreneurship and radio gives me an opportunity to bring it all together and create an amazing daily experience for my listeners.”
For him, the first week of the 2024 radio year has been “warm, positive, welcoming, friendly, enthusiastic, exciting and inspiring”.
Read more | DJ Sbu on his most memorable moment on radio
More than anything, being behind the mic is like doing the Lord’s work as it helps him push out high energy levels of positivity into the world; the perfect way to start the day.
Almost a decade ago in 2015, DJ Sbu was showed the door at Metro FM for promoting his energy drink, Mofaya on SABC platforms without due processes.
Now in his comeback, he says that he has learned a lot from the experience and has grown to move smarter in juggling being a businessman and a broadcaster.
“I have learned that’s it’s not always about me and my own selfish needs. I have learned to be more selfless and pursue my purpose more. I have also learned to work and move smarter as opposed to hustling harder like I used to.”
During his time out from national radio though, he established two online radio stations, mentored young people through educational radio training courses.
“I also set a world record for the longest music radio show in the world. I didn’t just sit and wait to be called. I consistently kept oiling and sharpening my skills on the internet to keep moving with the times. I also created an award-winning top 5 podcast in Africa.”
“I guess all that energy, consistency, creativity and hard work helped keep me relevant with South Africans. I didn’t cry victim and sleep on myself. I built a few successful business ventures and a few failed ones. I’ve had a great time off mainstream media learning to stand in my own. Now it’s time to share all what I’ve learnt with the world,” adds the 46-year-old.
Read more | 'She actually owes us money' - DJ Sbu addresses Zahara claims
Although he had not given up on radio, the music producer and broadcast-head had admitted a number of times on his podcast, called The Hustler’s Corner, that he’d go back to the SABC if the opportunity presented itself.
He shares with Drum how the opportunity finally presented itself.
“Mr Tony Soglo and Ms Khayakazi Koto reached out and asked me if I would be interested to get back on radio and host the Radio 2000 morning show. I didn’t think twice. I was immediately interested. Radio 200 is officially South Africa’s fastest growing radio station, and it has the most satellite transmitters nationwide, so it was a no brainer to be a part of such a dynamic growing and ever evolving breath of fresh air platform.”
The No Name breakfast show airs from 6am to 9am every weekday and almost every day, DJ Sbu’s social media platforms are abuzz with the topics, segments and the behind-the-scenes footage of his show. The latest to make rounds is the #SixpackChallenge in which he challenges the Afternoon drive show host Paul Mnisi, affectionately knowns as Mnisi weMvula on who has the best six pack.
