Themba Sibanyoni-The John Wesley presenter who shied away from stardom

Themba Sibabayoni

Little did THEMBA SIBANYONI know that when his geography teacher asked him to do a presentation in front of class that she was propelling him to dizzy heights. Well, he is not exactly there yet, but he has ambitions to be in the media. In the meantime he is cooking up a storm in the kitchen for his mother, Zodwa. Today he is a presenter and facilitates in computer studies at the John Wesley Community Centre (JWCC) in Etwatwa, Benoni. But at home he cooks up a mini tsunami as he prepares some  delicious dishes for his mother, step father and brother.
Here he speaks to Thembi Masser

Themba, 23, is a self-made man in many respects. And he did not let adversities stand in his way to success. Firstly, he has never seen his father. The father, Madladleni Ndlovu, died while they were speaking on the phone, preparing to meet face to face. Then his mother developed illnesses that caused her to resign from her job as a dog-groomer. She is presently without work.

Despite all the hardships Themba is a shining beacon at the JWCC. Here he a care giver and a computer facilitator. Care givers visit sick people at their homes to give them love, assurance and hope in life. What is remarkable is that he has no formal computer training. He taught himself at home and now he is teaching the community members how to operate computers. ‘I am also interested in journalism,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes. So he has taken upon himself to write about events that happen at the center. He is also an interested public speaker. “Public speaking gives me the chance to address people and engage spiritually with them.”

He will also like to do motivational speaking one of these days. He wants to tell the youth about the problems mankind face. “For instance, many from the youth section demand from government. But, they do not work hard, he observes. “They want freebies, they demand without giving any thought about what they have given to the government. They simply want to take without thinking, but wanting grants to start businesses or to have babies. It is shocking.” The desire to motivate others was also born out of reading the short story, The Passion of the Hobo by Kabeli Lichaba (kabelistories.blogspot.com). The story made me realize that you might think that you are not recognized while the truth is that there are people who are there watching you. We must know that in all of us there is an inner voice that matters.” He says every body is a hobo. “It does not matter what you are wearing, an Armani suit or are in tattered clothing, we are hoboes until the next person gives you the advice of a life time.”

While he was at high school he was a shy lad who plastered himself along the walls to avoid people. He remembers that his geography teacher, Ms Hlatswayo, praised his written assignment. “She said I was good and needed to show my class mates how it was done.” So, after realizing how panic stricken he was to stand in front of the class, she role-played for him.  Soon he was the toast of the class after giving a ‘ten-minute-standing-ovation-presentation’ and she made him to like geography so much that he decided that he was going to be architecture. Soon he was also presenting in front of the life orientation teacher. He also developed the love to do presentations. So soon he was part of the lovelife mpinthis who addressed the youth on the dangers of drugs, early teenage pregnancies and gangsterism. And, later, he bacame a ground breaker at the same lovelife. “The only other guy who presented in class at the time was Xolani Radebe, my class mate.”

But, sadly, he did not do architecture after high school. He went to Springs College to do cooking course.  He did a two years diploma in hospitality which included cooking, fire fighting and first aid. “One of the treats my wife will enjoy from me is the sumptuous food I will feed her, he laughs heartily.

Before that he completed his matric at Unity High, after spending a year at BP Mtyataza High and then another year at Quantum High.Then it was to Phillip Moyo Clinic in Etwatwa where he council-led expectant mothers and the youth.

Above and below:Chilling with his buddies

He also cares for his ailing mother. Her health deteriorated so much that she was under sever depression and later developed bipolar tendencies. “I cared for her and still do right now. Every two years she suffers for two months or so, but she is fine.”

Themba plays soccer and chess to relax and is a keen writer. He also chills with his boyhood friends, Kamogelo Mamokgobo, Thabiso Shongwe, Thabo Mnisi, Colbyn Wellington and Tshepiso Manana. He says they share ‘life’ and they share the same ‘vision’.

He has no qualms about not being able to grow under the tutelage of his father. “Yes, it is an painful to grow without your father, but my stepfather, whom I call father, was always there for me. He has aptly replaced my own father.”

The caption says it all

Themba is not married yet, and does not have any random kids.