Ashifashabba will entertain and surprise, but never disappoint

POLOKWANE – Shonisani Aubrey Muleya, more popularly known as Ashifashabba, has been in the entertainment industry since the dawn of democracy.

The 41-year-old father of three is a radio DJ, businessman, comedian, TV personality and actor, to name but a few.

He grew up in Makwarela in Venda and his parents were divorced when he was four years old, which left his mother to raise him on her own.

Ashifashabba said he knew what he wanted to do for a living from a very early age.

“I always wanted to be a civil engineer; I went to Thohoyandou Technical High School in order to perfect my craft. I would draw house plans that people would use to build. Seeing as I did not have a father who supported me financially, I bought myself a bicycle, TV games and clothes with the money I earned from the house plans,” he said.

Even though Ashifashabba dabbles in numerous fields, he said radio is his first love.

He started in the radio industry in 1994 at Technikon Northern Transvaal (TNT), now known as Tshwane University of Technology’s Soshanguve campus, where he was studying. “The radio at TNT was an extramural activity, when others played soccer or were busy with politics, I chose radio. That is where I sat and started speaking on the microphone for the first time,” he added.

Even after being in the industry for so long, he shares some of his secrets on how to stay relevant in an ever-changing society. “You have to adapt. You must work well with people and move with the times. Understanding the environment around you is key and you must try to understand people and how they think,” he explained.

He admitted, however, that there are always challenges. He said being in the public eye comes with its fair share of disadvantages.

“You sacrifice a lot in terms of your private life. You can’t spend as much time with your family as you want and they suffer because of the attention you get because of who you are in society. You can’t do whatever you want to in public. You can’t drink or be seen too much because you have to protect your brand at all times. You can’t show your negative side in public either because that’s what tabloids thrive on,” he continued.

When he is not working, Ashifashabba said he takes some time to enjoy the finer things in life. “I love travelling the world, swimming, cycling and spending time with my family, friends and my girlfriend. I also enjoy going to parties with my friends in our own space and not at public gatherings.”

He looks forward to the future and said he will now venture into television. According to him, he is a firm believer in “decolonising” the minds of South Africans and encouraging them to tell their own unique stories.