The Roadtrip: Chill Session with Jabulani Mathebula (Mr SA Semi-finalist)
“Be the best version of yourself”
Today is a very special segment. Blessing The Roadtrip blog is Mr Jabulani Mathebula, Mr South Africa Semi-finalist contestant for 2021.
Women in Business Foundation
After a year from successfully publishing The Roadtrip: A Self-guide to Success, Young Fine Arts Productions Publication House attended the Re-Introduce Yourself seminar as a sponsor hosted by the Women in Business Foundation when we realized that we are also in the presence of our very own Mr SA Semi-finalist.
Women in Business Foundation is a platform that seeks to empower women to own their power and unite their collective strength. The aim is to revolutionize the business landscape and rise into unimaginable potential while empowering others. On the 26 June 2021; ‘Reintroduce Yourself’, is an event that serves as a platform for women who have been unable to voice out. It is a platform for women who are survivors of toxic environments which limited them in positions (at home; work, churches… etc. ).
The aim is to give encouragement to women who find themselves in the same circumstances. Women who feel limited, women that are told that they won’t make it, women who lost confidence because their strength, beauty and intelligence have been put to shame. The event was a great success. So much so that we are definitely looking forward to sponsoring the next session.
Chill Session
The following days to pass, we had the opportunity to chill and talk to Mr Jabulani Mathebula as part of gaining more insight on the Roadtrip, his journey that got him where he is today. The following Q&A session is nothing short from inspiring to say the least. We got real open and intimate about who Mr Jabulani Mathebula is and what he is all about. Also, touching base on the journey to Mr SA thus far.
Question1: Introduction
Tell us about Jabulani Mathebula. Who is he? What is he all about?
Jabu:
Thank you very much. So firstly, I was born and bred in Port Elizabeth (eGqeberha). Growing up I’ve faced many challenges: from being bullied at school by my peers and friends, to losing my mother as a teenager, to having to fend for myself and finding my way into adulthood. I’ve always been a very vibrant and lively person, full of energy, full of ideas and full of charisma. I love helping others. Furthermore, I love to be hands-on when it comes to assisting people with transitioning from where they are, to where they want to be.
This character, I believe, comes from the unfathomable pain of not having anybody in my family that could give me direction, that could support me, that could be a shoulder to cry on or even an ear to listen. This pain, along with all the experiences that I had as a child, stripped me away of everything that I was, and forced me to rebuild myself because nobody was there to hold my hand and show me how to do it. Nobody, besides the people in my community and friends. I will be forever grateful to them. Sometimes ebomini nobody is there to tell us that it’s okay to stop fighting and that it’s time to start building. And I’ve fought, longer than I needed to.
Today, as much as I am the product of my past, I can stand strong and have the confidence to help other people who are in the same situation that I was in and tell them that it’s time to stop fighting, and to start building. It’s time to be the best version of yourself.
Question: Passionate and motivation
Tell us about your passions. What drives you? What motivates you and keeps you up at night?
Jabu:
For the longest time, I have been passionate about youth development, especially for the previously disadvantaged. This is one of the reasons why I started my modeling agency, Ubuhle Bendalo. The way things are for our young community, especially ekasi, is depressing. The environment itself plays against the future of almost every child before they actually get the opportunity to prove themselves.
The goal is to have an active and engaged youth center in each and every community. A space where there will be modeling, debate lessons and tournaments, drama, poetry, clothing design, toastmasters, motivational tutoring and life-coaching. Let’s face it, there is a lot of potential among every one of us and there can be a lot of change. I believe that the moment we harness that potential, develop it and tap into it, the lives of every child and community can drastically improve. I have taken it upon myself to see this through and I understand that it will not happen overnight, but my commitment to achieving this goal goes far beyond personal accomplishment.
Question: Ubuhle Bendalo
Let’s talk about the Roadtrip of Jabulani Mathebula towards Ubuhle Bendalo. What is the modeling agency all about? When did you start?
Jabu:
The modeling agency, was established in 2018. I’ve always had a love and passion for beauty. I have always been into modeling as a concept and idea and fascinated by beauty peagents. On my trip back from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, I had to sit down with myself and make a decision:
- Persue my dream
- Slumber in thoughts of wanting to be something and someone in this world, but never having the courage to follow-through.
I could not be confined by fears and supposed limitations any longer. So, I shot my shot and started up Ubuhle Bendalo. The agency grooms and develops young girls to be achievers. The scale goes beyond the dynamics that involves a peagent. We are looking to expand to all areas of life, to help girls identify and establish themselves and have a voice in society without having to first endure abuse, pain, violence and suffering before they can be acknowledged and respected. This, will of cause, extend to young boys as well. I am here to build the communities and build people regardless of gender, ethnicity and location.
Question: Mr SA competition
How does it feel to be a Semi-finalist in the competition? And how are you handling the popularity, challenges and stresses that come with it? Tell us about the Roadtrip of Jabulani Mathebula towards that dream.
Jabu:
Oh, where to begin?
It’s been fun, it’s been nerve-wracking, it’s been emotional and basically nothing that I would have ever imagined. I remember on the previous round when I was in the top three, how nervous I was before my name popped up on the screen. I literally put my phone down and screamed like a girl! The excitement is so overwhelming. Also, the people around me are so supportive. It’s amazing. The contestants themselves are very positive and vibrant people. Surprisingly, they are very down to earth and seem like ordinary people that you would pass in the street. However, the impact that they have in their communities is mind-blowing. I am very ecstatic and greatful for the opportunity.
Question: Mr SA Semi-finalist progress
So you dropped from number 3 to number 12. What do you think went wrong and what do you think you can improve?
Jabu:
Man, on the last round, nothing went wrong in terms of the competition, but I was going through a lot. I was in the hospital for about three days and seriously ill for three weeks. Doctors did not know what was wrong with me. I had headaches, sensitive to light and noise, essentially I was bedridden, could not do anything. This meant that I was falling behind on the Mr SA challenges, and I needed to catch up.
During this period I lost my job, my previous employer wanted me to go back to work against the doctors strict instructions to rest or find a condusive work situation, for which they refused. At this point, I had a choice to make; my health or a job. Also, just before the hospitalization, my place was broken into. The guys held me at gunpoint while they stole all my possessions. The order, by whoever sent them, was to shoot. I remember pleading for my life. Honestly, I do not know how I made it out alive. I started seeing a psychiatrist soon after this incident. And this is the best decision I could have ever made.
So in essence, I only had about three weeks to complete the challenges. I was not about to give up just because life decided to throw a curve-ball. So, I got up, dusted myself off and did the best that I could. I’ve come to realize that at this point, I am not doing this for myself. I have the weight of all those who support me and vote for me on my shoulders. This competition, for me, has turned out to be more than just a dream. I am doing it for all those who believe in me. This, has just made the journey all the more worthwhile.
Closing
Most certainly, the Roadtrip of Jabulani Mathebula as Mr SA contestant is one that is both truly inspiring and amazing. The voting pool for the finals is still open. Be sure to cast your votes and check him out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also check out this video on YouTube.
Until our next session, be the best version of yourself! 🙂
