After losing their corporate jobs, Eastern Cape-born creatives Sibulele Misani and Unathi Mangesi took a bold leap and founded Nu’Élève Creative & Digital, a dynamic agency built on meaningful storytelling, cultural intelligence, and smart strategy, designed to help brands grow with purpose.
The name Nu’Élève began with a playful mistake, thinking “Nu” meant “new” in French; but actually means “naked”, but instead of changing it, the team embraced its deeper meaning — authenticity, honesty, and transparency.
“We wanted something that sounded premium and aspirational, so, we thought, ‘Let’s go French!’ It’s classy, right? Except... none of us actually speak French,” Mangesi said
The name now reflects the agency’s commitment to helping brands grow and rise without pretence focused on truth and meaningful connection.
Though the company was established in 2024, it was officially launched in February 2025, with Misani being the co-founder and creative lead strategist, while Mangesi assuming the co- founder and creative director role.
“The idea was born from a desire to create a media agency that not only delivers digital solutions but also empowers brands and entrepreneurs with strategic storytelling and digital excellence,” Misani said.
The duo saw a gap in the market and discovered a need for culturally, intelligent, purpose-driven and responsive media consultancy.
“The influencer marketing space felt fragmented; creators were being treated as commodities and not collaborators.
“Brands were spending without strategy and campaigns lacked intention.”
Founders Misani and Mangesi are skilled professionals in the digital and creative world. They are also lifelong learners who have mixed their formal education with ongoing self-learning to build a smart and innovative media consultancy.
Misani, the agency’s co-founder and lead strategist, has a BA in media operations management and a national diploma in journalism.
Her strong storytelling skills are supported by technical knowledge, which she built through digital marketing courses from the University of Cape Town.
She is pursuing a programme in digital transformation for business leaders at GIBS Business School, a move that reflects her commitment to staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving digital economy.
She said her academic grounding enhances her ability to lead with clarity, make data-driven decisions, and guide brands through cross-platform integration with ease.
Mangesi, who serves as co-founder and creative director, began her journey with a diploma in events management from Boston City Campus.
With the hunger for continuous learning, she has completed several targeted short courses including digital marketing (Red & Yellow), social media mastery (Udemy), and content marketing for business growth through a specialised programme.
She said these short courses have strengthened her natural creativity and made her a strong voice in brand storytelling, connecting with audiences, and planning effective communication strategies.
Together, the pair’s education is not just a list of qualifications, but a testament to their belief in blending theory and lived experience.
The pair also shared that, in addition to the founders, they collaborate with a network of creative agencies, influencers, content creators, digital marketers, entrepreneurs, and consultants on a project-by-project basis. This approach helps them remain flexible, efficient, and effective.
“At Nu’Élève, this balance translates into client work that is inspired and intelligent, grounded and goal-orientated,” Mangesi said.
“In this industry, credentials can get your foot in the door, but curiosity, cultural fluency, and the will to keep learning? That’s what keeps you in the room,” Misani said.
As a newly established company, Nu’Élève is beginning to find its footing; the founders say their resilience has played a huge role in keeping them grounded as they take on the challenges of starting out in a competitive industry.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.