Zandie Thwala launches 2nd book
MBABANE - Are you feeling torn?
Often sad, conflicted and stressed out on the inside? While on the outside, you strive to portray a perfectly happy and successful version of yourself? Then the book titled ‘Dangers of serving your pain’ by Zandie Thwala is for you.
The launch of this book was held at Sibanesami Hotel yesterday morning and was graced by a number of attendees, who were interested to learn more about the author’s journey in dealing with depression and how it came about that she decided to put her journey on paper and to share it with the whole world.
In this book, Zandie Thwala who is also a Pastor leads by example as she shows her vulnerability and gives an honest and detailed account of her battle with depression. Dangers of serving your pain also dispels the lie that mental health difficulties reflect a lack of faith as she changes the culture of shame often purported within the Christian fraternity.
Various speakers graced the event, and also formed part of the panel that unpacked the book, the likes of Phiwi Mabuza, who is a Pastor and a Counsellor, Therapist and Pastor, Sabelo Khumalo, Zenanile Kasaro who was the programme Director of the day, Cental Bank of Eswatini Governor, Dr Phil Mnisi who shared the keynote address and the woman of the moment, Zandie Thwala. Also present were church leaders as well as industry players.
The panel delved deeper into how mental health issues are often neglected because they are considered taboo. Mahlatsi Mdluli who gave a brief review about the book said: “The purpose of the book was to give insight on Zandie’s journey from being vulnerable to being whole. The book also gives a guide to leaders to be vulnerable and empathetic in their different leadership spaces.” She added that the mental health space had been neglected because it was considered taboo, she said the book had come at a relevant time, where there was beginning to be more awareness on mental health.
The panel of speakers took turns addressing several issues that can come and present themselves as depression, as a person journeys in life. They noted that mental illness was broad and the signs were usually everywhere, inside the church, at home and even in the workplace. The conversations were mostly around how one reaches the point of realising that they need professional help in the form of therapists and psychologists, how the church community and the workplace has somehow played a part in the high rate of depression, as well as the importance of having a firm support system when one has acknowledged that they are depressed or are dealing with anxiety.
“The Christian community needs to allow people to feel and express themselves and be given permission to be vulnerable. It all starts with being vulnerable. Churches needs to stop Bible bashing people because this often leads them back into that dark place,” said Thwala.
The event ended with remarks from Central Bank of Eswatini Governor Dr Mnisi, sharing words of wisdom and encouragement who shared the importance of the three E’s; the power of education, exposure and experience. “No one in this life can ever take the three E’s from you, you need to properly learn and leverage these three for a better life,” said Mnisi. He concluded by appreciating Thwala for sharing her experience in the book.