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By: Mo Senne (Senior Communications Officer)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform everyday moments into digital gold, captivating an audience of hundreds of thousands while excelling in academia and mentoring the next generation? Look no further than Olwethu Ncapayi, a true embodiment of passion meeting perseverance. From humble beginnings in a vibrant Eastern Cape city to digital stardom and a thriving career in media, Olwethu's journey is a powerful testament to the impact of dedication, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to purpose. As a dynamic media professional, award-winning content creator, writer, and skilled camera operator and video editor, Olwethu's story is precisely why he is our first feature for #BOSSMondays, designed to inspire students to reach their extraordinary heights.
Olwethu, 22 years old and born on October 19th, hails from the small yet vibrant city of Grahamstown (now Makhanda) in the Eastern Cape. Currently in his final year at Rhodes University, he is pursuing a double major in Journalism and Media Studies (specialising in TV) and African Languages. His academic path is as impressive as his creative one.
Olwethu’s story is one of unwavering determination. He was part of the extended studies class 2022, coordinated by Ms. Judith Reynolds, a programme that helped pave the way to university. Having completed his first major in Journalism and Media Studies last year, he is now focusing on his second major in African Languages [isiXhosa MT].
Before his university journey, Olwethu attended Khutliso Daniel Senior Secondary School, where he matriculated in 2020 with the honour of serving as the school president. Despite achieving a bachelor’s pass, his APS score was not initially sufficient for university admission. However, Olwethu refused to let this setback define his dreams. He enrolled with GADRA Education in 2021 to upgrade his results, a crucial step that ultimately opened the doors to his university journey. This early display of resilience is a powerful lesson for all aspiring students: never give up on your aspirations.
Growing up, Olwethu was fortunate to have a supportive family that instilled strong values of faith, salvation, and perseverance – principles that continue to guide him today. His childhood, though typical, had a significant influence: television. He spent countless hours watching TV, a pastime that nurtured his innate passion for storytelling and the arts, profoundly shaping his career aspirations.
This passion led him to Journalism and Media Studies, a field he chose because it was the closest path to pursuing his love for storytelling while challenging norms, stereotypes, and societal expectations. Olwethu is deeply passionate about using media for social change, believing it holds the immense power to break down barriers and tell the stories that truly matter.
Olwethu has truly harnessed this power. With a strong social media presence of over 800,000 followers and a distinct creative voice, he has produced high-quality, culturally grounded content across various platforms. His work transforms everyday moments into innovative, informative, and entertaining pieces, spanning studio and field production, documentary filmmaking, animation, student media reporting, and podcast hosting. He has collaborated with well-known and national media outlets, and his work has been featured on News24 and in interviews by DRUM Magazine, where he shared insights on content creation and youth social issues. His talent has also been recognised by and featured on media outlets such as Daily Dispatch, Herald News, Feel SA (e.tv news), Tru-FM, and Umhlobo Wenene FM.
Olwethu is particularly known for his TikTok comedy skits, where he often imitates his parents and depicts relatable scenarios from growing up in a Xhosa household. The inspiration behind these characters stems from his deep passion for storytelling, aiming to recount the narratives of everyday individuals and magnify the authentic, unembellished moments drawn from his own life experiences and observations. He performs various scenarios using a diverse cast of characters, including:
- The Xhosa Mum (Maka Sab’lela): Olwethu highlights the unique and often dramatic nature of Xhosa homes, showcasing how mothers react to different situations with intensity, humour, and unexplainable flair. He illustrates how love and care are expressed in these households in a way that, while not universally understood, deeply resonates with those who have lived similar experiences.
- The Son (Sab’lela/Siya/Siyabulela): The relatable figure navigating the dynamics of a Xhosa household.
- The Dad (Max): In "The Dad Series," Olwethu embodies the quintessential Xhosa dad or uncle who speaks English with panache, claims omniscience, and is always eager to impart wisdom or share a story. This character frequently references his past—having studied mathematics and science and played rugby—and insists on maintaining his youthful vigour, much to the comedic exasperation of the mum, who constantly urges him to mature. This dynamic brings both humour and a sense of realism to the series.
- Anelisa (Siya’s Girlfriend): A relatively new addition to Olwethu's character roster, featured in "You Are Dating That One Girl." While drawing from personal inspiration, Olwethu prefers to keep the specifics veiled, encouraging audience speculation. Viewers have formed various assumptions: some perceive Siya as nonchalant, dating Anelisa for financial gain and taking advantage of her, while others see Anelisa as a "delusional" girlfriend who overlooks obvious red flags and continues to believe in Siya’s good intentions, even when others find them questionable.
Beyond his creative pursuits, Olwethu is also a dedicated academic. For two consecutive years, he has served as a University Tutor in the School of Journalism at Rhodes University, where he has mentored and supported first-year students. He blends his academic insight with practical industry experience, providing weekly tutorials, one-on-one academic assistance, and group study sessions tailored to diverse learning needs. He marks assignments, offers detailed feedback, and designs lesson plans to enhance course comprehension.
Furthermore, Olwethu contributes to the University’s Communications & Marketing Unit in the Division of Communications & Advancement, where he is involved in institutional storytelling, visual media coverage, and strategic brand communication. His combined education and digital media expertise positions him as a versatile and impactful figure across academic and creative spheres, committed to redefining representation and empowering communities through critical and creative thinking.
Olwethu’s journey, marked by his resilience in overcoming academic hurdles, his unwavering passion for storytelling, and his commitment to using media for social good, makes him an undeniable #BOSSMondays inspiration. He is a shining example of how dedication, talent, and a strong sense of purpose can lead to remarkable achievements.
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