Sibongakonke Shabalala

Sibongakonke Mthuthuzeli Shabalala holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Communication, and Culture at Nelson Mandela University.

With majors in Advanced Visual Communication and Advanced Video Production, he has built a formidable catalogue under the Nelson Mandela University umbrella. He is a former Ruta Sechaba Bursary recipient and a Young Falcons Camp graduate, who was featured in a television documentary called Force for Good on DStv. He then played the lead in his own debut silent film, Akuji: Dead and Awake, which screened in October 2022 at the Sun Hotel in Port Elizabeth, following its inclusion in the online archive for the Department of Media and Communication at Nelson Mandela University. His debut production followed this in the documentary titled This Is Zany Bambino, which scored 70% as part of his final-year film project. He has also appeared in the telenovela Gqerberha: The Empire, which is set in the Nelson Mandela Bay region.

He has established a YouTube platform that has amassed over 60 00+ views and generated over 10 000 000+ views on the new and trendy app TikTok. Across these main social media platforms which are Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.  Zany Bambino, the brand, has amassed a combined total of 65 000+ followers. He is an exciting event and club MC who’s hosted numerous events with national artists like Thuli Phongolo, Musa Keys, Mpura, Busta 929, Cooper Pabi, Dlala Thukzin, Dj Stokie, Yanga Chief, Blxckie, Mas Musiq and many more.

Sibongakonke was 1 of 9 inaugural campus brand ambassadors for Uber Eats in South Africa. Additional brand credits include: MTN, Eskort Foods, Steers, Pringles, Fan ta, UNIQ clothing and many more

Currently a Junior Youth Mentor & Presenter at Elevate Education, Sibongakonke is a multimedia visionary with a strong academic record, supported by excellent communication & debating skills. He inspires young South Africans, nationally and internationally, via television and advocacy, encouraging the youth to be accountable for their own futures.