Having the feeling of ruling his housemates when he was head of the Big Brother Mzansi house, reminded him that, once upon a time, he wanted to rule the country.
Growing up as a child his dream was to become President, but now Sabelo Ncube (37) is building his career as a storyteller.
It all started with buying CDs that have lyrics sleeves.
His fascination with how the lyrics were put together into a song piqued his imagination and interest.
He then started writing his own music and later recorded and released his music as Papa Ghost, a name he got because he would vanish and show up when people least expect it.
“When I was young for the longest time, I always said that I wanted to be the president of the country. It still hasn’t changed; I don’t think it is too late to realise my dream of being a control freak that controls the whole country.”
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Musician and writer Papa Ghost says his music career started because of his obsession with lyrics, which inspired him to write. His love for music started when he was a five-year-old boy growing up in Kempton Park. When he was a teenager, he started writing, and that grew to him writing short and long stories.
It is not his writing that gained him popularity but his participation in this year’s Big Brother Mzansi competition. He went to the house as a way of paying homage to his late father who was a fan of the show.
“Being on the show was a turning point for me as the writer of stories, long stories.
“My late father was a fan of the show, he would watch the whole season when it aired. He always said to me that I would do great on the show.
He says his mother was supportive, so he went in and wanted to be authentic and have fun because he knows the impact the show can have on one’s brand.
His brother, the sport anchor and broadcaster, Andile Ncube, was vouching for him until the end. Papa Ghost says Andile is more than his brother he is also his mentor and has taught him a lot about life and always knows that he can trust him when it comes to his support.
“In as much as being an artist allows you to be vulnerable, feel all the emotion so that you will be able to translate them into art. At the same time, you need to be cautious about how you move, be very intentional.
“When you do something, you need to do it purposefully and with confidence knowing that you are not always going to succeed.
“That is what I learned from being in the house, I know that no matter how hard you try you are going to fail, and sometimes that failure is a stepping stone to the next level.”
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Now that he has done Big Brother, he says his father would have been proud of him. He remembers when he won head of house for the first time, he went to talk to a picture of his father that he took to the house with.
“If my father was here, he would’ve been geeking out, constantly asking me questions about it and constantly probing me about certain decisions I made. I do believe he would’ve watched it very rigorously and he would’ve been proud of me making it till the end.
“One thing that he taught me is to be resilient, do your best in everything that you do, and win only when it matters. And that is why when I won head of the house I went to the closet where I put his picture and spoke to the picture.
Now that he is done with the show, he says he is working on entering the world of writing stories that will be seen around the world. He says he has gained a newfound family with his housemates and they support each other with their endeavours.
“I want to get into writing, directing, and telling stories that will create a new cinematic experience through my vision. I have grown to love this craft.
“I see myself dedicating my life to creating and telling stories.”
