Fame vs Mental health
WeekendLife
One can only imagine what is like being in the public eye. It is not a walk in the park; and not as easy as people might think it is because of the pressure from the public. Celebrities or influencers are perceived to be perfect, perfect bodies, perfect families, perfect parents, financially stable, healthy, and always smiling and patient with everyone Is this for real?
However, when peoples expectations of celebrities are not met, the same celebrities are often victimized, body shamed, or blamed, fairly or unfairly. As a result of them not having a personal life, they are often scrutinized in all aspects of their lives; their lives are aired for the public to see and judge.Celebrities are often extra careful about everything that they do, they have to go an extra mile as compared to how ordinary people live their lives.
To understanding this experiences by public figures, this reporter made a case study of Mr Lizibo Gran Mabutho, the firstborn in his family with only one sibling, his younger brother. Lizibo describes himself as a simple Kalanga guy who was chosen by music and did not choose music.
He said being raised by his mother and grandmother, he grew up surrounded by music from birth. Lizibo said his grandmother was a religious person who held church services at their house in Zwenshambe, for me singing was from Monday to Sunday. I was not like any ordinary child who only sang at church on Sundays or sometimes in school assembly, for me it was a daily thing. My mother was also a talented dancer in our village that is what I mean when I say I did not choose music, but music chose me.
Lizibo said though he grew up surrounded by music, it was hard for his parents to accept the path he has chosen to be a musician. Lizibo said he had to prove to his parents that music was his passion and that it could pay the bills like any other profession. He said eventually they saw his passion for music and supported him.
Lizibo said being exposed to music from a tender age made him venture into the music career from a tender age. He said he was part of the Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete (KTM) choir, Lizibo said being in the public eye for the longest time has taught him that he is living for the people and that he does not have a life. He said the very society that is watching him has so much expectation for him and that means he has to conduct himself in a good manner because people are looking up to him.
Lizibo said he understands the saying that great power comes with great responsibility, when people see me, they see a role model. I realize and understand that people are and have been modelling me even when I was not aware of it, I know of six mothers who have named their sons after me because they felt that I inspire them somehow.
He said he has accepted his fate that he will never have a normal life because people are looking unto him. He said he is grateful to be in the public on a positive note by bringing hope to the people because he has always wanted to be part of peoples solutions and not their problems.
He said, people should understand that our careers are our calling. One needs to be spiritually connected to their calling as an artist. The most rewarding part about being in the public for me is not about payment but about being the solution to someones problem.
Lizibo said the greatest challenge that he has ever faced about being in the public eye has been the issue of trust, not able to know which friends are genuine and which ones are not. He said as a way of avoiding fake friends he has always kept his four close friends who have been there for him through thick and thin. Lizibo said being close to his family has also helped him as they have been his strength when things were not going well for him, most of the time people say we change when we taste fame. That is not necessarily true because people are the ones who changed when we became famous. People always want something from us, nothing is ever genuine with people and that is why I chose to keep my circle very small.
Lizibo said as much as he travels a lot because of the nature of his work because it is naturally demanding, he said he always ensures that he creates time for his family. He said that at home he is Lizibo who is sent to do errands, he is Lizibo the son, not a celebrity.
He said there is a lot of pressure that comes with being in the spotlight, the public puts so much pressure on us mostly about the material lifestyle they portray us to have. We are often compared with South African celebrities, but people fail to understand that we are two different countries. Most people fell into the trap and are living above their means resulting in them living in debt. I often tell youngsters not to fall into that trap of being tempted to live life above their means.
The advice Lizibo gave to upcoming celebrities was that they should know that being in the public is not about them, but it is about the people. He said, one of my mentors once asked me if I make music about myself or the people. He said I need to make music for the people because it is my responsibility to feed them with what they need, he said they might not even be able to know that they have a need but that I need to identify that need and meet it. Our responsibility is to serve people what they need, our music is to feed peoples hunger. My music is about love, I feed people love.
Lizibo said it is important for celebrities to seek counselling and take care of their mental health, he said he has been investing in his mental health for years because he understands the importance of mental health especially when one is in the public.
Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong, an illustrious beacon brightening the corners of Botswana, wields her vision for gender equity and empowerment like a torch, illuminating paths for her community. Standing at the helm of the Anaya-Tlhwatlhwa Foundation, and donning multiple hats as an international personal wellness coach, a savvy business magnate, and the esteemed Mrs. Botswana 2023/24, her mission is to cast rays of change into the lives she touches.
Her strategy for bridging the gender divide is both comprehensive and visionary. Mokgathong, understanding the vitality of lifting women and girls, equally champions the cause of young boys and men. She advocates for a culture of mutual admiration and understanding across gender lines, fostering a society unbound by the shackles of conventional gender roles—a society where balance and harmony reign supreme.
In her magnum opus, a collaborative venture with entities like NAPHA, Men and Boys for Gender Justice, the Botswana Police Service, and Girls for Girls Botswana, lies a quest for familial empowerment. Her goal is to fortify the foundation of families, supporting parents and guardians, sons and daughters alike, equipping them with the capabilities to forge strong intrapersonal and professional bonds.
“My project is family oriented, we want to focus on the family as a whole, we want to help both parents or guardians, men and women and the children of households both boy and girl. I am passionate in doing so because lately women and the girl child have been given a pedestal, they have been given a lot of help and a lot of recognition while men are considered as perpetrators and young boys are neglected, therefore we want to groom both the girl and boy child so that they grow up to be able to interact with each other and when they get to relationships, be it personal or work wise,” she said.
Mokgathong’s reach extends further than mere intervention; she invests in the empowerment of individuals through education, skill development, and the allocation of resources crucial for autonomy and enduring triumphs. By nurturing innate capabilities, igniting the flames of innovation, and promoting entrepreneurship, she sets the stage for marginalized communities to emerge from the shadows of dependency, crafting their own realms of prosperity.
“As we educate a girl child to be strong and independent, we also enable a young man or boy to be able to accept that strong independent woman, ensuring that the equation is balanced. I also want to help stop gender-based violence while protecting our children. When I began my initiative, it was based on GBV and child protection, but it developed into campaigning for the less fortunate and vulnerable,” she stresses.
Her journey, fraught with hurdles, including early disappointments in her pursuit of the Mrs. Botswana title, stands testament to her resilience and indomitable spirit. Gratitude fills her heart for mentors, sponsors, kin, and comrades whose support has sculpted her into the powerhouse she is today.
She says: “People want to be involved with you when you are a top finalist or the reigning queen. When I first started, I was only a person, and it was difficult and time-consuming to generate cash, solicit donations, and obtain obligation, particularly in rural areas. But right now, as the reigning queen it is a bit easier to reach out to collaborators and sponsors and I pray to God that as I am continuing with my project after crowning the new queen it will continue to be so and growth and more people will be willing to invest and help out.”
Juggling her myriad roles demands the prowess of a maestro, yet Mokgathong thrives by weaving her family into her philanthropic endeavors and mastering the art of time management. She empowers young aspirants to self-reflect, establish objectives, harness mentorship and sponsorship, and gear up for the trials that lie ahead.
As Mrs. Botswana, her ambition soars beyond personal accolades; it’s tethered to the upliftment of her nation through the empowerment of women, the nurturing of men’s talents, and the preparation of the youth for a flourishing future. She envisages expanding the Anaya-Tlhwatlhwa Foundation’s influence, delving deeper into rural engagements to sow seeds of empowerment and hope for generations yet to come.
“For charity work to be more effective, I believe we need to empower other than just giving. We need to empower the less privileged and the vulnerable, with the right skills and knowledge so that they can sustain themselves in the long run. We need to help those who are talented and innovative. I am proud to say my work is doing wonders, the kids that we are mentoring are able to find direction in life, they now know what they want to be as they grow up and they are able to identify subjects they want to study and career they want to pursue. Families that we have been in contact with, families that are from different background are able to identify their skills and they are able to grow and turn them into businesses.”
In essence, Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong stands as a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration in Botswana. Her unwavering commitment to fostering gender equality, community upliftment, and personal development lights the way for others. Through her relentless endeavors and steadfast dedication, she renders a profound impact on her community and beyond, etching a durable mark of empowerment and optimism.
AUBREY LUTE
STAFF WRITER
Happiness research is proving to be a game changer for the environment, as it challenges the traditional notions of success and well-being that have led to environmental destruction. Author Jeff Golden, in his book Reclaiming the Sacred, highlights the findings that money and possessions account for only a small percentage of people’s happiness. Beyond meeting basic needs, additional money does not significantly increase happiness and can even undermine well-being by compromising relationships, leisure time, and gratitude.
This luminous work, crowned as the pinnacle of environmental literature by IndieReader and hailed across genres at the Nautilus Book Awards, shares prestigious laurels with luminaries such as the Dalai Lama and Brené Brown. It delves deep into the heart of happiness, revealing a threadbare connection to material wealth that has been our misdirected pursuit since the twilight of the 1940s.
The decline in happiness in the United States and other industrialized nations since the 1940s can be attributed to the emphasis on economic growth and consumption as measures of success. This focus has led to environmental destruction and a disconnect from the joy and wonder inherent in the world. By shifting our relationships with money and possessions, we have the opportunity to elevate our quality of life and reconnect with what truly matters.
One of the key insights from happiness research is that people living in serious poverty are still satisfied with their lives, while wealthy individuals often struggle to find happiness. Money does not equate to happiness, and the pursuit of wealth can actually diminish the ability to savor positive emotions and experiences. Even lottery winners find that their happiness levels return to baseline within a few months.
The optimal amount of work to maximize happiness is around 8 hours a week, highlighting the importance of balance and leisure time in well-being. By reevaluating our priorities and shifting away from materialism, we can create a more sustainable and fulfilling way of life.
Further explorations in Golden’s magnum opus present a paradox of satisfaction amidst scarcity, with a significant majority finding contentment in the face of poverty, juxtaposed against the fleeting happiness of wealth. The narrative delves into the diminishing returns of affluence on the ability to cherish life’s fleeting moments and the ephemeral nature of fortune’s favor. It posits a provocative thesis on the optimal engagement in work for harvesting happiness, challenging the sanctity of the 40-hour workweek.
Jeff Golden, with his background in sustainable development and environmental advocacy, brings a unique perspective to the discussion of happiness and its impact on the environment. Through his book Reclaiming the Sacred, he encourages readers to reconsider their relationship with money and possessions and embrace a more holistic approach to well-being.
The happiness research is a powerful tool for promoting environmental sustainability. By recognizing that true happiness lies beyond material wealth, we can make choices that benefit both ourselves and the planet. It is time to reclaim the sacredness of ourselves and the world around us, and create a more harmonious and fulfilling future for all.
The outgoing Miss Botswana Lesego Chombo says her participation at the on-going Miss World beauty competition has grown her to be an ambassador of Botswana and the African continent at large.
Chombo has made history as the first participant from Botswana to perform exceptionally well at Miss World, with former Miss Botswana Emma Wareus being the second best after placing first runner up in 2010.
The Miss World Top 4 finalist is the first to place in all Miss World Fast Track events, and winning some in the process.
She is also the first Miss Botswana to perform at the Miss World Beauty-with-a-Purpose Gala Dinner.
Further, Chombo is the only Miss Botswana participant at the pageant to have her Beauty-with-a-Purpose project in the Top 10.
Chombo is the first Miss Botswana to place high in Talent Fast Track event.
Meanwhile, Miss World finale will be broadcasting live this Saturday on BTV and the Miss World website and YouTube.