Since he departed from MultiChoice, many have been wondering what Sidwell Ngwenya, popularly known as Mr C or Sidwell, or Psyfo, would do next.
The media personality, who has spent years working both in front of and behind the camera, has now revealed what he has been working on, and it brings together two of his biggest passions: storytelling and music.
Ngwenya is stepping into a new chapter with #SouthernExploration, a multidisciplinary project that combines a digital docu-reality series, travel, music and personal reflection.
But this is not just about exploring different parts of South Africa. It is also about taking a step back, reflecting on life and figuring out what comes next.
Speaking to IOL, Ngwenya explained that the project gave him an opportunity to reconnect with himself away from the usual demands of work and the entertainment industry.
"I wouldn't really call it a comeback because I don't think I'm coming back," he said when asked about his return to music.
For Ngwenya, this chapter is less about making a grand return and more about creating something that reflects who he is today.
Taking a step back to find himself
In an industry where there is always something happening, taking time out to reflect can be easier said than done.
For Ngwenya, #SouthernExploration became an opportunity to slow down and look at his career, both in front of and behind the camera.
The project follows him on a solo journey through South Africa, using travel and interactions with local communities to explore questions around identity, purpose and personal growth.
In announcing the project, Ngwenya described it as a chance to find some peace away from the noise.
"Southern Exploration for me is a moment of peace to be myself again, away from the noise," he said.
"It was a therapeutic time away from friends and family, searching for answers, some I am yet to find."
That last part is particularly relatable. Many often imagine that taking a break or travelling somewhere new will suddenly give us all the answers, but sometimes the process is simply about making time to think.
Despite having travelled extensively for work, Ngwenya discovered that there was still plenty to see in his own backyard.
Having travelled and covered about 70% of the country, he said he was still blown away by places such as Graaff-Reinet, home to the Valley of Desolation, and Oudtshoorn, where the Cango Caves made a lasting impression.
The journey is part of a wider vision for #SouthernExploration, which SID Records describes as a project aimed at helping people reconnect with their values, strengths and sense of purpose, particularly at a time when burnout and the pressure of everyday life are becoming increasingly familiar.
Fatherhood has changed his perspective
Beyond his career, Ngwenya has experienced plenty of personal growth over the past two decades. One of the biggest changes has been becoming a father.
He admits that fatherhood is something he is still figuring out, and it has influenced the way he approaches his music.
"There are so many things that have happened in the past two decades personally that have moulded me into being who I am," he said.
"And I think one of the key moments in that has been being a father."
Interestingly, the experience has even inspired a song that he is still deciding whether to include on his upcoming project.
His son, however, is already a fan.
"If my son likes it, then why not?" he said.
It is a sweet reminder that not everything an artist creates has to be about pleasing the masses. Sometimes, a song can mean something to you personally, even if it does not fit neatly into what people expect you to make.
For Ngwenya, that freedom seems to be an important part of this new chapter.
Why he refuses to chase music trends
South African music has changed considerably since Ngwenya released his first track in 2004. Amapiano and Afrobeats are currently dominating much of the mainstream conversation, while hip-hop continues to evolve.
But he is not about to change his sound just because a particular genre is popular.
"I've always been the type of person who never tries to move with the trends when it comes to making music. It's always been about just making something that's truthful," he said.
That does not mean he is unwilling to experiment. Ngwenya enjoys collaborating with different artists and acknowledges that working with people from different musical backgrounds can influence his sound.
However, he is not interested in forcing himself into a genre simply because it is doing well commercially.
"If I had the skill or the know-how to make amapiano, I probably would make it, but it's not really my vibe," he said.
He believes there is room for different sounds in the industry, even when one genre is dominating the charts.
The bigger lesson, he said, is understanding the difference between evolving as an artist and chasing trends in an attempt to stay relevant.
"It's fine for you to be a Madonna in terms of reinventing yourself. That's cool, and that's one way, a tactic for you to be relevant," he said.
"But if you're chasing the trend as opposed to trying to build something for yourself that is sustainable, then you'll get lost."
It is advice that comes from experience. Having been in the entertainment industry for more than two decades, Ngwenya has seen how quickly audiences move on to the next big thing.
Rather than trying to recreate an earlier version of himself, he believes artists should focus on building a career that can stand the test of time.
Music, storytelling and the beauty of collaboration
Ngwenya has always had an interest in telling stories, whether through music or television.
For him, the two worlds are closely connected. Both offer an opportunity to share experiences that people can relate to, whether those stories are personal or reflect what is happening in society.
"Whatever you watch on television is kind of like a reflection of what is happening in society," he said.
The same thinking has influenced the way he approaches his new music project, which will form part of #SouthernExploration.
And while he is behind the project, do not expect to hear him rapping on every track.
Ngwenya revealed that he is hardly on the songs as a rapper, with much of his contribution coming through the production. He has also embraced the idea of allowing other artists to take a song in a direction he might not have initially imagined.
"Sometimes, when I sit back and listen to the music after producing it, I'm like, I've done enough," he said.
"You give it to someone else now."
For him, collaboration is about sharing ideas and allowing different influences to shape the final product.
He also wants people to see what happens behind the scenes, which is why documenting the music-making process is an important part of the project.
He recalled how some artists who attended his first music camp were surprised by how carefully the experience had been planned and captured on camera.
Ngwenya said he wanted people to be able to look back years from now and see how the music came together, rather than only having the finished songs to listen to.
"The music is great, but also I think the process is even better when people watch the process," he said.
The approach brings together his experience in production and his love for visual storytelling, giving audiences a glimpse into the creative process behind the music.
The lessons he has learnt about longevity
Looking back at his early days in the industry, Ngwenya remembers being a young man who simply wanted to make music.
When he released his first track in 2004, he did not fully understand the business side of the industry.
"Not knowing that there's much more to it than just releasing a song," he said of his younger self.
Over the years, he has learnt that artists need to think beyond the music itself. Protecting their brands, managing royalties and making decisions that support their long-term careers are just as important.
"The one key thing for me has to be always about protecting your brand and also just having integrity in everything that you do," he said.
His experience has also taught him not to become too attached to a particular phase of his career.
The entertainment industry is constantly changing, and trying to recreate the success or popularity of an earlier moment can leave artists struggling to move forward.
For Ngwenya, the answer is to remain true to yourself while allowing your work to grow with you.
What comes next for Sidwell?
After years of working across music, television and production, Ngwenya appears comfortable with the idea that his next chapter does not have to look like the last one.
With #SouthernExploration, he is bringing together his interests in travel, storytelling and music while giving himself room to explore new ideas.
The digital docu-reality series began rolling out during the week of October 12, with weekly episodes available on his Instagram page, @iammrcroc, and the official #SidwellsPOV YouTube channel.
The accompanying EP will feature collaborations with artists he has worked with previously, alongside another act that the project promises will be a surprise for listeners.
Ultimately, Ngwenya says he wants people to remember him as someone who stayed true to himself and worked hard at his craft.
"I want people to know that I have always been true to myself," he said.
He wants to make music that resonates with people without losing himself in the process of trying to please everyone.
And perhaps that is the point of this new chapter. Rather than chasing the next trend or trying to recreate the past, Ngwenya is giving himself the space to explore what he wants to do next.
For those who have been wondering what he would get up to after leaving MultiChoice, the answer is becoming clearer: he is telling his own story, on his own terms.