One thing about life — it is full of surprises. And lately, no one seems to be surprising us quite like Tebogo Thekisho, better known as ProVerb. Last week, news broke that he had obtained his MBA, and ever since, every time I opened social media for what was supposed to be a quick scroll, there he was again. Another article. Another headline. Another reminder that ProVerb has added yet another achievement to an already impressive résumé. Naturally, one question kept running through my mind: How does he do it? I mean, think about it. The man is a rapper, presenter, songwriter, MC, businessman and brand ambassador — just to name a few — and now we are casually adding MBA graduate to the list too. And the real question, the one that had me staring at my screen in disbelief, is: when did he ever have the time to open a textbook, attend classes, complete assignments, and study for exams while doing everything else at the same time? Most of us are still trying to figure out how to balance one side hustle with our Netflix schedule, and here he is juggling multiple careers, public appearances, writing books, and somehow finding the time to earn a master’s degree. At this point, I started wondering if he had secretly discovered the secret to bending time — or maybe even has a clone somewhere handling the studying for him. So instead of going crazy alone, I decided to do the obvious thing: ask him. And ProVerb being ProVerb — the kind, humble guy he is — he made the time to speak to me. Which genuinely surprised me, because I half expected him to say he was not available for obvious reasons. But once again, he proved to me that somehow, he really does manage to juggle a million things at once. So, in this exclusive Q&A with Africa Jamz FM News, ProVerb opens up about the journey behind earning his MBA — and what could possibly be next for a man who keeps finding new ways to surprise us. Here is how the conversation went. ProVerb has hosted 14 seasons of Idols SA, South Africa’s hit singing competition. Picture: Supplied 1. Proverb, you have built a remarkable multi-faceted career — from music and broadcasting to writing and entrepreneurship — and now you have added an MBA to that journey. What inspired you to pursue this academic milestone at this stage of your life, and what does this achievement represent for you personally and professionally? “For me, the MBA was never just about adding letters after my name; it was about growth, purpose, and legacy. I have spent many years in the creative and entertainment industries, and while creativity opened many doors for me, I realised that understanding business, leadership, and strategy would allow me to sustain and expand the opportunities that creativity creates. “There was also a deeply personal motivation behind it. My late mother held two doctorates in education, and my father is a medical doctor, so education has always been a strong part of my family’s identity. After the passing of my mother and grandmother, I felt an even deeper responsibility to honour their legacy. Completing my MBA became part of that journey, and I have now set my sights on pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration in the future as well. “On a personal level, the MBA was also about proving to myself that I am capable of pushing beyond what people traditionally expect from someone in entertainment. Professionally, it equips me with the tools to participate more meaningfully in boardrooms, business ventures, and strategic conversations. It also makes me more globally exportable, both now and in the future, as the industries we work in continue to evolve,” said ProVerb. Throughout his career, ProVerb has earned six major awards across music, television, and literature. Picture: Supplied 2. Many people know you as a creative storyteller and cultural voice, but an MBA introduces a powerful business and leadership dimension. How do you see this qualification influencing the way you approach future projects, ventures, or even leadership within the entertainment and creative industries? “The MBA has sharpened my thinking around sustainability and structure. In the creative industries, we often focus on talent and passion, which are important, but long-term success also requires strong business fundamentals. “This qualification has helped me better understand strategy, operations, governance, and innovation. Going forward, I believe it will allow me to build ventures that are not only creative but also scalable and sustainable. It also strengthens my ability to advocate for creatives in spaces where decisions about funding, policy, and industry direction are made,” said ProVerb. As an author, ProVerb has written two books: ‘The Book of ProVerb’, which is a memoir and ‘hustle manifesto’ about his journey in the entertainment industry, and ‘To Health With It!’, a guide to holistic living, health, and wellness. Picture: Supplied 3. Throughout your career you have continuously evolved and surprised audiences with new chapters — from music to television to writing. With this new milestone behind you, do you feel you are entering a completely new era of your career? “I think every chapter prepares you for the next one. My music career taught me storytelling, radio taught me communication, television taught me presence, and writing taught me reflection. The MBA now adds strategy and leadership to that journey. “So yes, it does feel like a new era, but not because I’m abandoning the past. Rather, I’m integrating everything I have learned into a more holistic version of myself. Creativity will always be part of who I am, but now it is complemented by a stronger business and leadership perspective,” said ProVerb. 4. Last year you released To Health With It, adding to your growing body of work as an author, and now you have completed an MBA — both powerful reflections of growth and discipline. When you look at this stage of your journey, what continues to drive your desire to keep learning, building and evolving? “Curiosity and gratitude. I come from a place where opportunities were not always guaranteed, so every opportunity I receive feels like something I must honour through growth. “I also believe that life is about evolution. The moment we stop learning, we start stagnating. Writing To Health With It was about sharing lessons from my journey, and the MBA journey reminded me that we are all perpetual students of life. There is always another level of understanding, another perspective to explore, and another way to serve others through what we learn,” said ProVerb. As he continues to pursue his goals and dreams, ProVerb remains an inspiration to young and old alike, showing that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Picture: Supplied 5. Your fans have come to expect the unexpected from you. Without revealing too much, what exciting new directions or ambitions are you currently exploring — and should we brace ourselves for yet another surprising chapter? “I think the next chapter will be about integration, bringing together creativity, business, and education in more intentional ways. Over the years, I have been fortunate to build a career across music, broadcasting, television, and writing, and now the academic journey has added another dimension to how I think about impact and legacy. “One area that has really sparked my curiosity is the intersection between media, technology, and business, which is also what my MBA research focused on. Because of that, I’m seriously considering continuing my academic journey toward a Doctor of Business Administration in the future. “At the same time, I’m passionate about building platforms and projects that empower creatives, entrepreneurs, and young professionals with both inspiration and practical tools for growth. So yes… I think there are definitely a few more surprising chapters still loading,” said ProVerb. HAVE YOU READ THIS ONE?: WATCH: Craig David Just Marked 20 Years of His Classic Song ‘Unbelievable’! Post navigation WATCH: Craig David Just Marked 20 Years of His Classic Song ‘Unbelievable’!
