In His Own Words: Naugh-Naugh
- Busa Nhlapo
- Aug 24, 2015
- 3 min read
2001 - 2007 My full names are Sthembele Njobo and I was born in the East rand in the township of Thokoza although I grew up in Aliwal, in the Eastern Cape. I grew up as a child who was involved in sports, arts and culture including photography. I’d always wanted to pursue these interests and so in 2001 I came back to Jo’burg to see where I could fit in. My faves then were Bow Wow, Mzambiya and Mshoza. I was a confident kid who thought I knew all things and subsequently got most things I wanted because of this – until grade 10, when I chose the incorrect subjects (science) instead of general subjects that I already excelled in. My confidence took a serious knock then.
2007 - 2008 In the same year, I got together with a guy called Masizole Mfuyo, many know him as Mazi. Together we formed the group Brain Wave and recorded our very first single. The guy who produced the track was a very shady character however the feedback we got was worth it as the song was getting love. On the 27th of April the very same year I recorded a track with Born And Rise Entertainment (BNR Entertainment Pty Ltd) called ‘Amagam’emfundiso’ (Words That Teach) that I promoted with performances at poetry sessions and free events. Luck again was on my side as there was a huge event hosted by Batho Pele and although I was told I would not be able to perform, I decided to go anyway. When I got there, I approached the producer of the event, Sthembile, and told him I had a hot Xhosa song that he needed to hear. We went outside so he could listen and he loved it so much, he decided there and then that he’s squeeze me in anyway so I could get my 15 minutes of fame. Getting on stage and performing that song for people who’d only identified with me as a soccer player was challenging. But I killed it! I gained many fans that day and also realised that demand was high for what I was doing which lead me to recording my mixtape.
2009 -2010 Leaving school at the end of matric, I was excited about my life. I wanted to pursue music fully. I had a plan. I’d get a part-time job, get my driver’s license, move out of home and become independent. Things didn’t pan out quite that way. What ended up happening was me having to stay home because my mother had taken ill and I had to fend for my younger siblings. I didn’t even get the opportunity to stay at varsity long. I found myself having many dreams that were onhold because I didn’t have the support that I needed and ofcourse, no financial aid as well. All I had was my matric certificate and my love for media and entertainment.
2011 – 2015 Luck was not through with me yet and I got an opportunity to go back to varsity where I proceeded to study PR. I completed my studies in 2014 and graduated earlier on this year. During this time, I entered and won a completion run by SABC One called Fan-Base. The prize was R8000. I also entered and won a Selimathunzi Guest Viewer competition. I contributed to an international music book called Dude I Can Help You: 18 Mistakes Artists Make And How To Fix Them. I won an MTV Base award for Best Producer For Show as well at the SAFU Awards as Best Youth Role Model.
Currently I have been nominated at South African Awards 2015 for the Best Leader Of The Year. I’d really appreciate each and every one of your votes. To Vote SMS: SA Sthembele To 34050. Votes close on the 20th of November 2015. While I was studying PR, I started my own media company called NMC Media. Shows that we’ve been blessed to cover so far in 2015 include Back To The City, Career Expo, Batho Pele Youth Development Sports Tournament, A documentary for Ward 58: Robert Pienaar and also my own TV Show Zibonakalise (Show Yourself) where I am producer. Look out also for Ntandokazi, a feature film that we’ve shot that is in its final stages of editing. It’s going to be great. Thank you for showing love, I ask that you continue to support me as you have been doing. This is Sthembele wa kwa Njobo signing out. Most know me as Naugh-Naugh (prounounced Nuff-Nuff) I'm not tough-tough, but I am rough-rough. It is what it is B!
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