Singer, radio host, and popular content creator, Anslin Gysman. Anslin is also a full-time human resources professional at the University of the Western Cape. Image: Shelley Christians/UWCWhen Anslin Gysman steps onto a stage to perform the new anthem of the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, there is no trace of hesitation. His voice is commanding, his presence assured, and his performance carries the weight of a nation’s history and hope. Yet, on campus at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the same figure blends quietly into the background - a self-described ambivert who would rather go unnoticed.
This contrast defines Gysman’s journey: a rising national voice shaped within the calm, disciplined spaces of academia.
For Gysman, being selected as the voice behind the Springbok anthem was more than a personal achievement.
“I realised what a great moment it is, not only for me but for South Africa, to have something on the airwaves that people can hold onto as a symbol of resilience - that’s incredibly powerful,” he said.
His voice, now tied to one of the country’s most recognisable sporting symbols, reflects a broader narrative of transformation in South Africa, one where new voices continue to emerge and redefine spaces once marked by exclusion.
The moment carried an added layer of meaning for Gysman, whose connection to rugby runs deep. Coming from a family closely involved in the sport, he has long understood its cultural significance and emotional pull.
“I love rugby … It’s always been part of my life.” He jokes, however, that his own playing career was never meant to be. “I’ve got a weak ankle,” he laughs, “so a rugby career was definitely not an option.”
Despite his growing popularity in music, Gysman’s identity remains firmly rooted at UWC, where he works in the Human Resources division, specifically in payroll. “My role is to make sure people get paid.”
But beyond his professional responsibilities, it is his academic ambition that shapes his long-term vision. Gysman describes himself as a lifelong student, driven by a clear goal: to build a future in academia.
Singing, he insists, had never been the plan. “It was always just a passion. My dream has always been to become an academic.”
At UWC, he has found a space that not only supports his artistic pursuits but also nurtures his intellectual growth. The institution, known for its history of access and transformation, has become, as he called it, a place of alignment where his values, ambitions and opportunities intersect.
On social media, Gysman is expressive, confident and charismatic, a personality that has drawn a growing following. On campus, he is someone entirely different. “I’m actually very quiet,” he admits. “People think what they see online is my full personality, but I’m quite shy.”
He describes himself as an ambivert, someone who navigates both introversion and extroversion, depending on the context. In the structured university environment, he leans into his quieter side, focusing on his work and studies.
“I can access different parts of my personality depending on where I am.” Colleagues and close friends know him as someone reserved, even socially awkward at times. It is a stark contrast to the confident performer seen on stage.
Even as his musical career gains momentum, Gysman remains dedicated to the academic path he has set for himself. For him, UWC is not just a stepping stone but a long-term destination - a place he hopes to one day serve as a professor of commerce.
The University has already played a formative role in his life, offering both stability and support as he navigates opportunities beyond campus.
Gysman’s story is not just about talent; it is also about the environment. At UWC, he has been able to cultivate both his intellectual ambitions and his artistic expression without having to choose between them.
It is here that the shy student and the powerful performer coexist - each shaping the other.
@uwconline UWC's @Anslin Gysman reflects on the moment his voice became part of the @Springboks.rugby, a powerful national symbol of pride, resilience and purpose. #IAmUWC ? original sound - SAYC
