Africa-Press – Eswatini. TKZee fans were in for a treat as Kabelo Mabalane graced the country for a Men’s Conference held at Woodlands Hall in Ezulwini on Saturday afternoon.
The conference was organised by Semusa Networks with the intention of giving men a safe space to talk and share their challenges.
The Kwaito legend-turned-motivational speaker and pastor was welcomed by an excited crowd who were eager to hear what he had to deliver.
Shortly before going on stage the artist spared a moment with this publication to express what to achieve with his talk. He started by mentioning that he was aware of a shift in consciousness that seemed to be sweeping throughout the men.
“I think there is a movement of self-correction amongst black African men. It is happening in my country and it is happening here. There are a lot of things we have to unlearn and undo as black men that we have learnt due to societal conditioning.
My hope today is just to share a little bit of my story and the things that I have learnt that men can apply in their own lives and see the fruits,” he said.
When asked if he felt the challenges faced by men in Africa were unique to the location, he emphasised that the struggles were universal but Africa had its own context.
“I think the African context is unique and we have got very strong cultural settings. There are so many hoops one needs to jump through to get to self-actualisation.
The problems are universal and we have all been under the same set of circumstances – or similar, rather. The principles we are sharing today are universal and the most important thing is application because there is no point in stopping at just ‘knowing’. You have to apply,” he added.
Mabalane stated that he believes individuals are tripartite beings with a Body, Mind, and Spirit. In order to achieve health, all three of those faculties must be fed.
When he stage, Mabalane stated that it was absolutely important for one to ‘share their story.’ He then share about his background adding anecdotes such as his battle with substance abuse, his music career, as well as his conversion to Christianity.
He further clarified that he was not, in anyway, an expert and was on the same boat with everybody who was in attendance – he was also navigating life just like everyone else.
His talk touched on many various points such as his experience with the Comrades marathon and how it teaches one the importance of struggle and discomfort.
Challenging the audience, Mabalane stated that they needed to only take one thing from the talk, pursue it, and become better people.
He expressed an understanding that, whenever people gathered in such conferences, they usually left inspired but, by the time they returned to their homes, the inspiration resulted to nothing.
“I beg of you that you take one thing today from this conference and pursue it. I dare you, so that next year this time, you are a completely different human being. Commit to just one principle,” he said.
The power of perspective and understanding privilege was amongst the topics the artist touched on. He said despite everybody being in the same room, there was a large influence of privilege that played a role in each person.
“Privilege only focuses on self. In your office, you have to know the other person sitting in the next cubicle or next chair. You do not even know what the person sitting next to you had to go through to get to where they are,” he stated.
Speakers
The conference had SABC and Metro Fm media personality Simphiwe Ncongwane as its MC. Other speakers were Muzi Motsa (Legal Mind and Family Law Specialist), Dr. Adman Shabangu (Medical Practitioner), and Neil Bierbaum (Life Coach).
Their talks engaging drawing participation from the audience.
Dr. Shabangu’s talk on men’s health saw a lot of questions being raised about their own physiology. The talks were dynamic and interactive – evidenced by occasional remarks from audiences that punctuated the speakers’ presentations.
Niel Bierbaum’s talk took a Jungian approach as he emphasised on the importance of not being identified with being in charge and control.
Following the talk, a question and answer session followed and all the speakers took to the stage to answer the questions posed by the audience.
After a lengthy session, Kabelo Mabalane humorously pointed out that he was hungry and would like for the session to wrap up so he could get some food. The director of Semusa Networks, Sisusa Dlamini, expressed happiness and content after the event and highlighted that there was evidently a need for it.
“It went really well. It was overwhelming but satisfactory. It is a fulfilment that they eventually got together to be here.
“The speakers excelled and a lot of people came to me to tell how they resonated with all the speakers whilst lamenting that the time was not adequate. I am now tasked to do something that lasts the whole day next time, and with breaks in between,” she said.
She said that, judging by the time spent from the audience asking questions, it was evident that they needed the platform.
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