Anslin Gysman: The Cape Town singer bringing life to the Springboks' anthem
Anslin Gysman is the voice of the new Springboks anthem.
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Anslin Gysman is the captivating voice behind the Springboks' new anthem as the team gears up for an exciting season.
Gysman, a singer, radio host, and popular content creator, rom Kuils River, has not only been making waves on social media, but his angelic voice has now taken him to the world stage.
Gysman said he started singing as a young boy in church, and music has been his safe space through his life.
“Music is like a best friend. It has the ability to be a source of comfort in the toughest times. It also has the power to lift the room, change the mood and sometimes, even save someone from a dark world,” the 30-year-old entertainer said.
With a voice like his, one would think his dream would be to sing; however, this is not the case.
“Singing was never my dream. It has always been a passion of mine. My dream is to become a professor of commerce one day. Above all my skills and abilities, I am an academic at heart,” he said.
Gysman currently has an undergraduate degree in linguistics, numerous post-graduate degrees in human resources, advanced taxation, strategic finance and informatics, and he is currently in the process of finishing another master's degree.
Unlike most artists, Gysman also has a full-time job and is a human resource professional at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Last week, SA Rugby hosted its annual awards ceremony at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), and Gysman was one of the honourable guests who set the stage for our Springboks as they continue to make the nation proud.
Gysman said that he received a call from SA Rugby to audition for the theme song, not thinking he would actually land the gig.
“I received a call from SA Rugby inviting me to an audition for the song. They shared the link to the AI version, and I fell in love with it immediately. I went to the audition and immersed myself in the song when I stepped into the booth. The producers and other individuals in the room were blown away. A few days later, I got the call to say that I got the job,” he said.
He described this opportunity as the greatest honour.
The moment he sang the anthem to an auditorium filled with the world’s best rugby players, Gysman said: “It was such a full-circle moment for me. I remember, during the World Cup, I received the contract to perform at the rugby fan malls during the season and the joy I experienced being behind the Boks with my whole heart.
Gysman is also a huge rugby fan, and his blood does run green and gold for our boys. He also supports the DHL Stormers.
He explained what the song means to him.
“The song is a beacon of hope, a heart's posture and a bold declaration of hope for us as a country. I can go on and on about how liberating this song is for our people, but there aren’t enough words in my vocabulary,” he said.
Gysman also shared a video of the song on social media, and in this video, his raw emotions can be felt.
“I thought about every boy from the Cape Flats who looks like me and dreams like me, I thought about every mother who would stop at nothing to see their kids succeed, I saw my grandmother, who was obsessed with rugby, cheer me on and my late uncle who would quietly stand in the crowd feeling proud of me. I was an emotional wreck,” he said.
Gysman said his fans can expect great things from him in the future.
“We have some new music coming out. My radio show is doing really well. The church is growing, performances are lining up, but ultimately, I want to begin my PhD this year. Whatever God plans for me this year, I am submitting to that call. I have learnt not to make my plans without submitting to His,” he said.
He also had a strong word of encouragement for aspiring artists.
“The reward for your labour isn’t overnight. You won’t experience immediate gratification. Doors will close in your face, and you will lose out on opportunities. However, nothing that is meant for you will miss you. It will locate you when the time is right and elevate you in a season that has been set aside for you.
“Do not be despondent in your waiting season. Prepare your ditches by showing up in excellence to every opportunity, and when the rain comes, your soil will be fertile and ready to germinate a beautiful and fruitful harvest,” Gysman added.