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Sbu dishes out leadership advice

EVERY Saturday after his Sound Revival show on Metro FM, DJ Sbu leaves the studio to do a totally different job that he is not paid for.

On weekends a large number of people wait for the DJ and businessman outside the studio for a free consultation .

The requests from fans and business people vary. Some ask for help to fund bursaries while others seek assistance to get into the entertainment industry and business.

Even more of the hopefuls, the shy ones, wait for the Tembisa icon at the SABC's parking lot. This is where Sbu, born Sbusiso Leope, dispenses his leadership and business advice.

Dumi Vokwana said he sought help about breaking into the music industry because he believed in Leope's inspirational traits.

"I chose to come to him because in him we see qualities of someone who wants to help people," said the fan.

Recent academic boy wonder Bafana Sibiya, 18, who matriculated with seven distinctions, was among the lucky students on the day as he got a surprise he had hoped for: a full bursary from Sasol's Inzalo Foundation.

Leope secured the sponsor under the auspices of his Sbusiso Leope Education Foundation (Slef).

"I did not have the money to study but now I am sorted. I got a scholarship that covers tuition fees, accommodation and I will also get an allowance until I graduate.

"I am going to study chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town. I just got a call from Slef and I was not expecting it."

Leope said: "It's usually people asking for help with financial aid, bursaries and [for] some of them it's entrepreneurial [or] business-oriented advice. Some of them are from out of town."

He confirmed that he spoke to at least 10 hopefuls every week and dedicated at least an hour towards speaking to them.

"Obviously, we cannot assist everyone and we can [only] do the little we can. So far this year, we assisted seven kids with bursaries and we actually went to their homes to check if they really came from those [disadvantaged] backgrounds."

Although the fund raises money for pupils who have passed well, Leope said that the criteria to help the needy was not only excellent marks but also included sponsoring young people with leadership abilities.

mashotol@sowetan.co.za