Life journey from poverty
Do something for yourself. Master the survival and resilience strategy against extreme poverty.
KIBLER PARK – Kibler Park has been blessed by a visionary: the determined and dedicated inspirational and life coach, Themba Simelane (39), a man exuding positivity and hope.
Originally from Kanana, Klerksdorp in North West, Themba came to Johannesburg South in 1997. He lived at the Eikenhof squatter camp. “Most of my life I’ve been living in the squatter camps with my family. However, I always told myself that I will thrive against all odds. I helped myself to be a better person,” he said.
Now living in Kibler Park, Themba wants to look back at the very same people who still live in a dire situation and help them. Through workshops, seminars and motivational talks, Themba aims to reach as many people as possible.
He recently wrote a book, The poor do not need food or money but motivation and courage, and with this book he wanted people to read themselves out of poverty.
“People in poverty need someone who has been there with them in order to understand their problems and needs. I’ve been there, I know how it feels to eat from a dump; I know how difficult it is to be brought up in a society that has lost hope.
“Children are finding homes in squatter camps; they try to make ends meet with whatever they can get. These people need resilience to survive, I want to instil that in them, I want to show them through believing in yourself, nothing is impossible,” explained Themba.
He also challenged businesses in the area to support the immediate squatter camps, establish networks where they can uplift themselves.
“House owners and businesses in the area have this stereotype of people in the squatter camps as thieves and criminals, however they are not, they need inclusiveness in the community,” he noted.
Themba’s achievements
Life coach – He is a founder of Extreme Life Coaching, a personal coaching, mentoring, youth development training and consulting company since 2000.
Graphic designer, fine artist, photographer and filmmaker: As a graphic designer and illustrator since 2001, he has worked and continues to work with leading advertising agencies, design studios, publishing houses and printing companies. As a visual artist, he has authored a portrait drawing manual in 2006 titled Instant Portrait Artist which can be purchased directly from www.lulu.com/instantportraitartist
Editor, journalist and publisher of Gospel Music Magazine, founded in 2008. This is South Africa’s first gospel music publication. His book costs R150 (for purchase call 078 601 6047).
Music producer and artist: As a performing artist, (HipHopPriesthood), he self-produced and recorded three gospel rap albums, two of which were nominated for the the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards 2010 and 2012. He has served as a judge at the MTN SAMA (South African Music Awards) for three years, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
High performance athlete (bodybuilder): As a bodybuilder, Themba Simelane has entered and won top three placings, and he currently holds second place at the Millenium Gold Classic 2013.
