Mthokozisi Ncube
FROM showcasing kasi businesses to putting Bulawayo’s hidden talent in the digital spotlight, social media entrepreneur Sukoluhle Dane Ncube is on a mission to make the City of Kings trend for all the right reasons.
Through his digital platform, Everythingbyo, the Bulawayo-based blogger, influencer and social media marketing specialist is telling the city’s stories, promoting local businesses and giving emerging creatives a platform to be seen.
Ncube, who is also the founder of fashion brand Fineline, ventured into content creation in 2022 as a way of expressing his creativity, connecting with people and sharing information.
What started as a personal creative outlet has since grown into a digital platform with an expanding following and a clear focus on celebrating Bulawayo.
“I started creating content in 2022 to express my creativity, connect with people and share information. Eventually, I saw an opportunity to use blogging to showcase Bulawayo and give local stories greater visibility,” he said.
Through Everythingbyo, Ncube shines the spotlight on local businesses, events, trends and happenings around the city, helping entrepreneurs and creatives reach audiences beyond their immediate circles.
The platform has built an impressive digital following, with 38 000 followers on Instagram and 31 400 on TikTok. His personal Instagram account has 13 000 followers, while his Facebook account has 5 700 followers.
For Ncube, the idea behind the platform is simple: Bulawayo has plenty of talent, businesses and stories that deserve to be celebrated.
“I believe our city has stories worth sharing and businesses worth promoting,” he said.
Some of his most successful content has resonated with audiences because it captures familiar experiences and subjects that matter to local communities.
He said he particularly enjoys producing videos that showcase local talent, promote businesses and highlight community stories, as they help create visibility and connect people with opportunities.
However, building a digital brand has not been all likes, shares and viral moments.
Ncube said data costs, limited production resources, maintaining consistency and difficulties in monetising content remained some of the challenges confronting content creators in Bulawayo.
Despite the hurdles, the growing audience and interaction on Everythingbyo continue to inspire him to improve his content and expand the platform.
“Seeing Everythingbyo grow also encourages me to keep creating and improving. I am motivated by audience engagement and the opportunity to inform, entertain and connect people,” he said.
He believes successful blogging goes beyond simply recording and uploading videos, requiring planning, creativity, consistency and commitment to building an audience.
TikTok, he said, has also opened doors by helping him expand his professional network, sharpen his digital marketing skills and connect with businesses, brands and diverse audiences.
Away from the camera and social media platforms, Ncube is also nurturing his entrepreneurial ambitions through Fineline, his fashion brand.
His bigger dream is to turn Everythingbyo into a recognised digital media and blogging brand that reaches beyond TikTok, while growing his personal brand and other business interests. He also hopes his journey will encourage young people to look beyond social media entertainment and use digital platforms to create opportunities and build businesses.
“I want to promote Bulawayo positively, showcase local talent, support businesses and keep people informed. I also want to encourage young people to use social media creatively to create opportunities for themselves,” he said.
Ncube believes Bulawayo’s creative and digital industries have enormous potential and wants Everythingbyo to play a part in ensuring that local talent and success stories receive wider recognition.
“I believe Bulawayo has so much potential and so many untold stories. Through Everythingbyo, I want to help tell those stories, create visibility and show that great brands and opportunities can be built right here in the City of Kings,” he said.
