From humble beginnings in Durban during the 2010 FIFA World Cup to establishing himself as a Creative Director, filmmaker, and community builder, Sibusiso Winslow Msibi’s journey is one of perseverance, talent, and a relentless drive to make a difference. Sibusiso’s career in the creative industry began serendipitously when he met a musical director who introduced him to graphic design.
He started designing promotional materials, a skill that would become the foundation of his artistic journey. His hard work and dedication soon led to a promotion as a camera assistant, where he was mentored by two brothers from the UK—Shoggy, a journalist now with Chelsea FC, and Femi, a Creative Director, VFX producer, and editor. Femi’s advice to pursue editing became a turning point in Sibusiso’s career, and in 2012, he produced his first documentary, Kingdom Radicals. In 2013, Sibusiso moved to Johannesburg, where he dedicated himself to nurturing young talent in visual arts and filmmaking. By 2014, he had taken on the role of Press Team Manager at Sunward Park High School, leading a group of 24 creatives to success in a school program sponsored by Peermont and monitored by Red Pepper. Under his leadership, the team earned a new award, the Peermont Fresh Award, cementing his reputation as a leader in youth development.
Despite his successes, Sibusiso’s journey has not been without challenges. While working on a project at Izimpintsi Productions, he faced difficult conditions, including creative disagreements and uncredited work, which left a lasting impact on his reputation. However, his resilience and determination to continue creating and sharing his skills with others kept him moving forward.
As the Director of Photography at Sgidla Va Productions, Sibusiso found a sense of belonging. Working alongside industry peers such as Mbulelo Kato, Kgothatso MK Kgomo, and Tshepo Vilakazi, he contributed to the growth of the arts in the Ekurhuleni Municipality. The organization’s commitment to developing creatives inspired Sibusiso to dream of future collaborations. One of his proudest achievements is his involvement with the Oral History Association of South Africa, which deepened his understanding of the importance of preserving archives. His passion for community development is evident through initiatives like the Afterskoolz program, where he taught music and filming classes at Vosloorus Stadium alongside local creatives. Sibusiso remains a vocal advocate for funding and resources to support arts education and job creation in his community.