East London residents locals gathered at The Venue in Hemingways Casino last Thursday for the latest edition of the Capitec Live Better talks. During the talks, which are hosted across the country, local local celebrities share their stories and struggles in order to motivate and inspire the audience.
Thursday’s guest speakers were actress Brenda Ngxoli, entrepreneur Lonwabo Rani and entertainment personality Somizi Mhlongo.
Ngxoli was the first speaker and has appeared in a number of popular and critically acclaimed films and TV series, such as The No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Tsha Tsha and Sew the Winter to My Skin.
Picture: MATTHEW FIELD
She discussed her experience growing up as the child of a domestic worker. However, she said she felt no shame in her upbringing.
“I am the proud product of the migrant labour system. I am the proud product of a single-parent domestic worker,” she said.
Ngxoli stressed the importance of people accepting their past and finding it within themselves to appreciate who they really were.
“If you are not honest with yourself, you cannot love yourself and if you cannot love yourself, how is anyone supposed to love you?”
IT company Silulo Uluthu Technologies director Lonwabo Rani was next up and shared the many struggles he faced in establishing the business. For Rani, perseverance was an important trait that allowed him to push through the tough times to eventually make Silulo Uluthu a success.
Picture: MATTHEW FIELD
The last speaker was Somizi Mhlongo, well known for his appearance on national radio and as a judge on Idols SA.
Picture: MATTHEW FIELD
Mhlongo’s message was that life should not be spent envying others for what they had. “After all,” he said, “I do not want to be Beyonce.
“I don’t want to live a life where I just blink and it’s right in front of me,” he told the crowd. “There are some things, whether you like it or not, that money cannot buy.”
