By Adam Wakefield

Mbuso got his start in broadcasting in 2009 at YFM 99.2, where he stayed for six years before moving to 5FM to helm Power After Hours, which Mbuso reckons might be the shortest graveyard stint in the history of 5FM.

“The actual timeframe of that still boggles my mind. I did Power After Hours from the second week of March, three weeks later, I was asked to accompany the Hammantime crew with their walk to Polokwane which took two weeks,” Mbuso explains.

“When I came back, I did two more weeks of Power After Hours, and then on the 2nd of May, started on 5FM Nights.”

Mbuso says working the early morning slot was very important in acquainting himself with the 5FM culture. It introduced him to 5FM’s audience, especially those not familiar with his style of radio, and it provided him with the “honour of handing over to a legend of radio, DJ Fresh”, whose show FreshAt5 followed Power After Hours. 

“The whole experience into 5FM, both the early morning slot for the whole five weeks of being on-air and the walk to Polokwane, was a very unique enculturation and made me feel right at home,” Mbuso says.

The biggest changes Mbuso had to make moving to 5FM Nights was adjusting content for a different audience, and learning how to work in a team, with Mbuso having only flown solo on-air up to that point in his career. From having complete creative autonomy, Mbuso adjusted to working in step with co-hosts Tumi Vorster and Frankie du Toit and he believes the change has grown him as a broadcaster, with the three learning from one another.

Apart from his duties at 5FM, Mbuso is involved with the Historic Grounds production company, works with NGOs Kasi 1808 and Siya Phana, has written a book, Wounded Smiles, and is also a psychology graduate. 

How does he spread himself so widely but not burn the candle at both ends? By fuelling his own energy.

“I just serve. These are gifts that have been endowed upon me and when I don’t use them I will be struck down by lightening, or just feel really empty,” Mbuso says.

“I’ve never been a person who can only do one project at a time. The ability to spread myself is what actually fuels me. I view myself as a communicator and educator, and there is more than one way to do that.”

The different activities Mbuso engages in are his pride, with none being more important than the other, working hand in hand “in making me an even better being in my personal and spiritual life, but also in serving”. 

Always in the background, amidst all Mbuso’s activity, is the foundation laid by his upbringing in Pimville, Soweto. It is the humility and dedication of Mbuso’s parents, to both him and his brother, which taught him that every day is another opportunity to become a better person.

“Growing up and living in Soweto exposed me to a wide array of individuals. It’s incredible how diverse it is, and Pimville is one of the newer townships in Soweto, so my direct community was an empty canvas that we all contributed to,” Mbuso says.

“We were graced with the opportunity of seeing all the injustices of South Africa right in front of our doorsteps. We knew what they were, and we had to decide if that’s where we want to end up, or if we wanted to carve a different existence for ourselves.”

In the same breath, Mbuso is saddened and exalted by seeing childhood friends who have both been unable to touch their dreams and those who have gone further than what they even imagined.

“I know where I come from, and there are many from home who look up to my journey as a guiding path. I’m not spectacular or different from anyone. If I can and still try to be better, then they too should be able to do right by their dreams and aspirations,” he says.

This view also enriches the three lessons Mbuso has learnt and applies daily in his career: Believing in himself, being humble and showing gratitude.

“You can never stop learning and growing in your craft. No one can teach you how to become you.”

For more information, connect with Mbuso on Twitter.