"I was in the SA Navy... now I'm a Sangoma" - KZN man
The man who has done it all and continues to inspire those around him.
There are many people around Mzansi who are the jack of all trades, but nothing beats the diversity of this man from KZN.
The man who's done it all and still plans on achieving more.
With accolades that are longer than the lines at Home Affairs, Themba Raymond Zikhali is making a splash in every career he ventures into.
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So where did it all begin?
I applied and joined the SA Navy in 2003. Prior to that I was a swimmer and lifesaver. I have always taken every opportunity that I've been giving to further my skills and help those around me.
Themba had to endure different types of intense training that included emotional, mental, physical, and military training.
Despite having a background in swimming and understanding the ocean, he was thrown in deep water when he was deep diving in his work as an explosives clearance diver.
Things took a turn when Themba was scrolling through a magazine and he came across an application for Men's Health magazine, who were looking for physically strong men who balance work and health.
Themba was one of the 2,000 applicants and was chosen as a top 10 finalist to model for brands such as Hugo Boss, Men's Health Magazine, Nike, and more.
He finished as 7th and got exposed to the life of modelling. He ventured in this endeavour for two years and left the Navy.
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While he modelled, he worked as a project manager in Joburg in a team reducing the consumption of electricity in lightbulbs. This company further worked with strategising innovative ideas with the threat of loadshedding.
In 2009, he came back to Durban and made the National Team for Lifesaving. He also took up a job as a professional lifeguard during his National Team glory.
The plot thickened when in recent years, Themba shares how he took up swimming coaching, Waveski paddling and coaching, running development programmes for underprivileged kids, and more.
His most recent endeavour is becoming a Sangoma. Themba believes that he is a healer and he wants to spread his love and knowledge through these African traditional practices.
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An incredible story that proves how a man can live a rich life without much and take every opportunity that he creates.
This story isn't just a story about Themba, but rather what it means to be proudly South African in every endeavour that you venture into.
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Image courtesy of Themba Raymond Zikhali