The Interview: Siphiwe Mpye By Dylan Muhlenberg

Editor Siphiwe Mpye's Wanted is a luxury lifestyle and culture magazine that reaches the country's top businesspeople

An experienced writer, culture maker and media and communications practitioner, some of Siphiwe's previous positions include founding editor-in-chief of BL!NK magazine, associate editor of GQ South Africa, spokesperson for YFM and director of Digify Africa. And yes, the man knows a thing or two about business travel, so we caught up with him between flights to do a quick Q&A.

What's your definition of luxury?
Ultimately, as some have noted, it's about time: consuming quality items crafted over time, and perhaps more importantly, controlling your own time. To do the things you want to do, not what you can't avoid doing.

What inspired your decision to live in the Eastern Cape and work in Jo'burg, and how has that been going for you so far?
This was initially necessitated by life changes and lockdown, but now it is more of a choice. The late Ray Phiri would lament the drive into Gauteng from his idyllic home in Mpumalanga, and would feel a heaviness every single time. This is similar to what sometimes sets in when I land at OR Tambo, but I never stay long enough for that feeling to settle in. Jo'burg is a necessity for my job and is mostly a vibe - there is always something new to experience, a place to go, and my friends and extended family are all primarily there. But nothing beats being a 3km run away from the beach. The commute can be challenging, but it's certainly worth it.

Much more than a businessman, you're a family man first. How do you navigate these sometimes conflicting worlds?
I am lucky that my wife and I have had similar career trajectories and we worked together for many years, so those worlds have not been in conflict as much as they may be for other people. Doing the work I do of course means there have, regrettably, been missed school engagements, deferred holidays and other disappointments, but I cannot be anything but grateful for the time I have had with my family.

In terms of business travel, what are your top tips?
Invest in hybrid clothing that can take you from the house, into the plane, into the Uber, and into the boardroom. Moma Apparel at 44 Stanley [Jo'burg] has the perfect, versatile, trans-seasonal selection. The ex-DJ in me still loves headphones, but noise-cancelling buds are a handier, more discreet option for the professional on a long haul.

What can you teach us about making the most of all that commute time?
I constantly have podcasts lined up and save some writing for the commute, even if it's journalling. I used to read a lot of magazines in transit, but I now save them for my couch or the beach. Lastly, I make sure I have a notebook handy; some of my best ideas have found me thousands of kilometres in the air.

What's in your carry-on?
Laptop, phone, buds, sanitiser, hand cream, eye cream, mints, notebook, a good pen and a jersey.

With the world opening up again, what have you most enjoyed in terms of travel?
I got to go to the US for Design Miami, but what I most enjoyed was a post-Covid-19 New York City, and dancing to amapiano at a Brooklyn block party.

Which tech is integral to your life?
My MacBook Pro, by a mile. But lately, I am playing with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, and it has decimated my hankering for another iPhone.

Where do you like to entertain clients while in Jo'burg?
The hospitality at the Saxon [Hotel, Villas & Spa] is always impeccable, Le Parc by Tashas for a more casual, yet excellent meal and the Troyeville Hotel for some cultured grit (and the best sardines this side of Maputo).

As someone with an eye for 'the next' what do you think the future holds?
The last two years have shown us the folly of such predictions, but what I hope it will yield is more bravery and thoughtfulness, and less mimicry of the things we think people want to hear.