S’bo Gyre, 30, is a multitalented person in South Africa’s entertainment industry. As a PR lead at Writersbloc, he spearheaded campaigns such as SuperSport’s Rugby World Cup. He also writes marketing scripts, TV content and digital advertisements — balancing creativity and strategy. Beyond the 9-to-5, S’bo is an independent musician under his label, KwaSthenjwa, releasing work such as Queernomics and Altar Call, which champion queer visibility and self-expression. His voice extends into journalism, with bylines in the Mail & Guardian, OkayAfrica and Daily Maverick in which he blends entertainment, iden- tity and socio-political commentary. He was the first openly gay rapper to perform on the Back to the City main stage and co-wrote Nkoli: Vogue Opera, a genre-defying cultural moment. Now credited on Shaka iLembe season two, S’bo continues shaping South African storytelling. With studies in law, digital marketing and arts business, he embodies the harmony of intellect and artistry. His biggest teachers? “Failure, intuition and my younger self.” He believes young leaders must centre humanity, community and accountability, challenging toxic systems with compassion. S’bo would call for free education and curricula that would dismantle gender-based violence.
Of course, my parents. I am continuously admiring their willpower to create the platform from which I have launched myself as a professional and a man. Outside of them, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a great source of inspiration to me as a leader and a visionary. Arsène Wenger also did the same for me. Arsenal, as an institution of football, has been a great teacher in the importance of being principled in your methodology in life. Yes, a win is a win, but for some of us, how we win matters. That is what Arsenal has taught me. I recently fell in love with Bozoma Saint John — just a remarkable woman with a remarkable mentality. In my younger years, Oprah Winfrey and Debra Patta were significant inspirations. Mesut Özil and Ricardo Kaká were also great inspirations for me because of how principled they are as people and players — and simply my preferred genre of footballers. Otherwise, the kind of professional and person I aspire to be has always existed in my mind and in segments of other people I have met and worked with. So the ethereal version of self has always been my greatest mentor. My intuition? The Holy Spirit? It is all one and the same to me. God and Jesus have been my guide, even when I denounced them and enjoyed the world — a little too much at times — but I would not do it any differently.