Burning up the Airwaves – J Sbu

Burning up the airwaves

Besides entertaining the masses with his sultry voice and gregarious personality on the Stacey and J Sbu Drive Show on East Coast Radio (ECR) from 4-7pm every weekday, easy-going Sibu (J Sbu) Nxumalo (28) is also a talented Afro Pop, Afro House and Afro Tech musician, emcee, voiceover artist, DJ and social media influencer.

His latest single titled Abazali featuring Minnie Ntuli and Vuyani landed near the end of 2020 – and it’s sizzling hot! “Out of all the talents I possess, DJ-ing has to be one of my favourites. Watching people dance and let loose because of my set is the best feeling in the world,” he said.

Besides being the host of the early morning ECR Breakfast Show for three years and ECR’s PartyCentral for one, being the host of a drive show on one of the biggest radio stations in South Africa has been a real dream come true for him.

It’s hard to believe that a humble farm boy from Mandeni, who only started speaking decent English when he got into university, has become so articulate, confident and successful. “For many years, I felt like the talented kid who no one saw,” he lamented.

Charismatic Nxumalo was always the centre of attention, good at sports and the funny kid in class, but who also was the responsible eldest sibling (his brother is 20 and sister 13). He always knew that he wanted to do something big in the entertainment industry.

“I looked at my mom, who’s a nurse, and my dad, who’s a policeman, and realised that there was more. There was that burning desire to be bigger, to be relevant, to be seen,” he said.

Nxumalo decided to study Public Relations at DUT after matriculating from Seatides Combined School in 2009. One of the top achieving students in his class, he always tried to find a good balance between having fun and being up to date with his studies.

Before completing his BTech in 2014, Nxumalo did his experiential learning at the DUT Student Services Department, which became his internship the following year where he worked closely with the then Dean of Students Amar Singh to start a radio station.

He cites this as one of his greatest career highlights as it cultivated so many talents, some of whom are now presenting on radio and TV because they had a platform on which to hone their craft.

He intends to revive the station this year as it was hard hit by COVID-19 regulations and wasn’t able to operate for most of 2020. “I am very excited to continue fulfilling my passion of cultivating more talent as I love helping students achieve their dreams.”

Everything Nxumalo learned at DUT has been used in his burgeoning career. “DUT made it easy for me to use what I learnt in the real world. I now use PR strategies for my personal brand and in distributing music,” he said. “I don't think I'd be where I am if it wasn't

J Sbu DUT Public relations graduate (BTech)

I believe in presenting your best self with every opportunity you're given. Be passionate about becoming the next best version of yourself, work hard, be open to learn and always stay humble.

for DUT and the experiences I was exposed to there. I am definitely a proud alumnus!”

Laid-back Nxumalo enjoys hanging out with friends and family, trying new things and meeting new people. He still considers himself a proud, doting father of two, even though his son Smanga was tragically stillborn in 2016. His other son, Zanda, is three, unbearably cute and the spitting image of his dad.

He’s prepared to continue working hard for his future plans, which include building a proudly KZN brand that is recognised both nationally and internationally. “I don’t want to walk in a supermarket to do my own shopping. I want to be a superstar!”

@jsbuofficial jsbubookings@gmail.com

OTHER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Voiceover work for some of the biggest brands in South Africa (Lovers and Friends 2020 music concert, NHI discourse with Minister of Health, etc.) Launched the J Sbu Summer Tour, an annual brand positioning campaign where he travels to various party venues

Ambassador of Gateway Theatre of Shopping (2018) and emcee at the Gateway Preview Fashion Show DJ'd for crowds over 10 000 at some of the hottest party venues in KZN – Old Mutual Music at the Lake, Durban Braai Day, Views 25, etc. Released a debut single titled Uthandolwakho in 2019, featuring former Idols’ contestant Sanele Mkhize and Colours of Sound

Released his second single titled Lethokuhle in 2019, featuring upcoming Johannesburg artist, Nonji Released another single titled Energy in 2020, featuring upcoming Durban artist, Yashna

Latest single, Abazali features Minnie Ntuli from East Coast Radio and upand-coming star from Eshowe, Vuyani