Advice, inspiration and attitudes on life from Tebogo ProVerb Thekisho

This entry was posted on 15 October 2020.

Radio personality, Idols SA host, music producer, entrepreneur, ex-hip hop artist and now author, Tebogo ProVerb Thekisho shares his advice, inspiration and attitudes on life in these extracts taken from his new memoir, The Book of ProVerb.

 
1. LOOSEN UP AND TRUST THE PROCESS OF LIFE
The biggest lesson I’ve learnt from [my dad] is to not plan too much, but to live your life. ‘Always have an end goal in mind, but remain flexible,’ he often says. He encourages us not to limit ourselves in how we try to reach our goals, because life often throws curve balls. Through him I have learnt to always be open to change and adjust accordingly, because if my plans are  too rigid, I am bound to fail. One can’t dictate to life how things should be.
All in all, one must remain positive and try to grow into the person one envisions. That’s the gist of a lot of our conversations. I am highly driven and accustomed to being in control, so I am learning to loosen up and trust the process of life. I write down my goals and always have a desired outcome for pretty much everything I do, just to stay in check.
 
2. ‘WE ARE BECAUSE OF OTHERS’
When I think of how my career began, I feel the need to mention some of the people who helped me get to where I am today. I met so many great people along the way, and I’ve never really had the chance to thank them for their advice, support or both. I may not remember everyone’s name, but I will never forget how each of them changed my life. No one can ever claim to have made it on their own, because motho ke motho ka batho (we are because of others).
 
3. EVERYONE DESERVES  SOME KINDNESS
After auditioning [for Idols SA], your nerves are shot and you can do with a bit of kindness. You don’t need another person to scare you or make you feel bad. The last thing you need, regardless of how you performed, is to be ripped apart further. So I play a supportive, empathetic role, and make a conscious effort to approach each situation with the necessary respect. If a contestant didn’t perform particularly well, I feel that that has already been established. 

The viewers have seen the performance and there is no need for me to say much more. We can all tell. Of course, there are people who audition just for a laugh and obviously that’s a very different situation. But otherwise, everyone deserves some kindness. It takes a lot of courage to chase your dream, and I can only imagine some of the sacrifices people  make to audition. Some travel long distances and spend the last of their savings just for a moment in front of the judges.
 
4. BE OPEN AND RECEPTIVE
After my career took off, I lost touch with some of the people who had helped me get that far. I would have liked the opportunity to say, ‘Wa nkgopola, jo (do you remember me)? Do you remember that you once listened to my demo? Well, I ended up having a whole career in music, so what you did for me was not in vain.’ You know what I mean? But I was so busy chasing this dream that I barely stopped to breathe. Or maybe I never really thought I’d ever get that far. In my opinion, we are all connected to each other in some way. Just about anyone can help propel you forward and unlock the doors you need to pass through in order to enter the next phase of your life. My advice is to be open and receptive. Believe that everything will work out in your favour. You are exactly where you are meant to be.
 
5. LIFE ISN’T NECESSARILY ABOUT WHAT OTHER  PEOPLE GIVE YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO THEM
I’ve learnt some wonderful life lessons  from [my brother] Mapoza, not least of which is to love wholeheartedly – do not hold back. The love my brother shows his nearest and dearest has transformed my life. His love and support have always been consistent. He has loved me at my worst and at my best, which has given me the strength, when I needed it, to carry on. I am inspired by him every time I see how much love he gives to his wife and children. Mapoza has taught me that family is there to support you, as he has done for  me through all the challenges I’ve faced. He’s taught me that you never give up on your family, no matter what, and that life isn’t necessarily about what other  people give you, but what you can give to them. My sister Tumelo has also taught me to be more compassionate. She is a giver at heart and enjoys charity and giving back. She is soft-spoken but highly ambitious and driven. The reason I study so much now is because she and Mapoza have inspired me to empower myself as well. We are all there for each other and there’s literally nothing I wouldn’t do for my siblings.
 
The Book of Proverb is out now.
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
ProVerb          
 
by Tebogo Thekisho
 
The Book of ProVerb is a memoir, a hustle manifesto, and a wholesome guide to life from one of South Africa’s brightest stars 
 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY 

Moving through uncertainty with determination and confidence

Facebook  Twitter