Mgcini Nkosiyabo Sibanda’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. The founder of MNS Media Lab, a talented photographer, videographer, and voiceover artist, has crafted an inspiring story of resilience, creativity, and perseverance. From humble beginnings to working with global brands, he has proven that passion and determination can lead to extraordinary success.
The Early Days: A Self-Taught Visionary
Mgcini’s love for the arts was evident from a young age. “I’ve always been an art enthusiast in all its forms—music, fine art, literature,” he shares. It was only natural that he gravitated towards media. During his high school years in 2009, he took it upon himself to learn graphic design using online tutorials, despite the challenges of limited internet access. “It wasn’t as easy as it is now to access the internet and download a one-hour video tutorial, but I would use my last cent to get them,” he recalls.
By mastering software like Corel Draw and Photoshop, he quickly became a “wizkid” in graphic design. His high school years were filled with designing posters, music covers, and other creative projects—his first taste of entrepreneurship. However, the earnings weren’t enough, and after completing his A-levels, he was forced to look for work.
A Blessing in Disguise: The Turning Point
In a bid to make ends meet, Mgcini secured an apprenticeship at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) as a carriage and wagon fitter. However, his heart wasn’t in it. “To be honest, my NRZ days were miserable because I don’t recall enjoying or being passionate about what I was doing,” he admits.
Then came an unexpected blessing in disguise—he was retrenched in 2015 along with hundreds of others. Instead of despairing, he saw this as an opportunity. “I then started to put my all into graphic design, and the business was doing well,” he says. With growing success, he expanded his services to include photography, videography, live streaming, and voiceovers.
Working with Global Brands and Overcoming Challenges
Through his company, MNS Media Lab, Mgcini has worked on numerous exciting projects. Some of his most notable collaborations include Old Mutual, USAID, Sol A Way, the Ministry of Education, Kingdom Blue, Coghlan & Welsh Practitioners, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, the Center of Talent Development (CTD), and ZIFT. However, one project remains close to his heart. “I should say that my personal favorite was doing voiceovers for Sanlam Namibia,” he reveals.
Despite his growing success, challenges persist. “I should say my greatest challenge being a media personality in Zimbabwe is accessing good equipment. Equipment is very expensive, and our economy is not the best,” he explains. “The equipment you’ll buy in a year in a very good economy, you’ll buy after five years of saving in Zimbabwe.” Creativity can only take one so far—some aspects of media production require the right tools, and the struggle to acquire them has been one of his biggest hurdles.
The True Zimbabwean Story: A Mission in Visual Storytelling
For Mgcini, media is more than just a business—it’s a mission. He believes that Zimbabwe’s true story has yet to be told. “The proper beauty and ugliness of the country has been half-told,” he says. “The best medium to share that story is visual storytelling.” However, he laments that much of Zimbabwean media is influenced by Western and South African inspirations, diluting the country’s authentic voice. “It is our job to convey an undiluted message of who we are and share ourselves with the world.”
Keys to Success: Reputation and Social Media
Mgcini attributes much of his success to two strategies. First, he emphasizes the power of a good reputation. “Build a good name for yourself. It is to be desired more than gold,” he advises. According to him, how clients feel about working with a business is crucial. “Delivering on time and most importantly delivering quality work” ensures clients feel their money was well spent.
The second key to success is leveraging social media. “Be consistent in posting. Build a brand that can be easily noticed from afar,” he recommends. By staying visible and engaging with potential clients, he has been able to grow his business significantly.
The Rise of Digital Media and the Future of MNS Media Lab
The demand for digital media has skyrocketed in recent years, and Mgcini has witnessed this firsthand. “Over the past few years, the demand has been extensive and the growth has been rapid,” he says. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift. “Live streaming before COVID wasn’t esteemed as it is right now. The importance of social media presence wasn’t glorified like now.” He believes this trend will only continue, making media an even more vital industry.
His advice for aspiring media professionals? “Keep learning and keep growing. Don’t go to bed with the same knowledge you woke up with,” he urges. “Build relationships and be strategic in building them. Don’t be satisfied being number one in a special class—associate yourself with those that are better than you.”
The Future of Storytelling in Africa
Mgcini has mixed feelings about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). “I am afraid and happy at the same time, especially looking at the way AI is evolving,” he admits. However, he remains optimistic about the future of media in Africa. “One thing I know—storytelling in Africa is about to be easier than it was before, and MNS Media Lab is going to be in the front.”
With his unwavering passion, relentless work ethic, and commitment to authentic storytelling, Mgcini Nkosiyabo Sibanda is not just capturing moments—he is shaping the future of Zimbabwean media, one story at a time.
