Accept the reality of depression, and end the stigma

The shocking news of the passing away of Dr Bongani Mayosi last week caught me off-guard. I knew Bongani way back from the student years.

His death signals the importance of emphasising that clinical depression is not a personal weakness — it is a common yet serious medical condition. Anyone can experience clinical depression, regardless of race, gender, age, creed or income.

The myths and stigma that surround it create needless pain and confusion and can keep people from getting proper treatment. Some of the myths about depressions include “If our people could make it through apartheid, we can make it through anything” and “You should take your troubles to Jesus, not some stranger/psychologist”.

The truth is that getting help for a mental health condition is a sign of strength. People with clinical depression cannot just “snap out of it”. Family and spiritual support are an important part of the healing process but cannot replace the role of a qualified mental health practitioner.

We hide our depression and anxiety because we fear being judged weak and ineffective. In doing so, we are nurturing a state of emergency in the family and community, a state that twists the lives of those who need us the most — our children, spouses, mothers, fathers and the vulnerable young and elderly people in our lives.

Our people will remain in the bondage of misery, pain and suffering until we are free and heal ourselves. This is only possible if we come out of hiding, if we are brave enough to accept that it doesn’t make you weak to seek help.

Facing our truth of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions may be the hardest thing to do. It means having the courage to tell your truth so that others can be healed.

Our coming into the light needn’t be a public declaration, it just needs to happen in our psyches and our souls. And we must commit to receiving the gift of therapy. Dr Mayosi has opened the way; we just have to walk it. — Professor Velile Notshulwana-Mqota, Nelson Mandela Bay

Remember Tiananmen Square

I was gobsmacked on reading “ANC seeks China’s help to win votes” (July 29).

Nelson Mandela will turn in his grave watching his beloved organisation looking to a repressive regime to help get increased voter support.

This is the same China that did not want the Dalai Lama setting foot in SA.

The moment we filter information we become rogue and throw away our democratic birthright that so many died for. China is a poor choice and a really bad example and cannot teach democratic values. — Paks Pakiriy, Durban North

Home of the kangaroo court

“Fugitive lawyers live it up in Aussie” (July 29) refers. One only has to read the history of Australia and one will understand. Don’t forget this is the same country that wanted to fast-track white farmers’ visas over “genocide”. It’s time for Africans — black, brown, white and other — to stop being too polite and call a spade a spade. — Anthony DI Sibiya, by e-mail

Waves of gratitude

“Support ebbs and flows for Agulhas tidal pool repair” (July 29) refers. The two tidal pools are fantastic community facilities enjoyed by people from a wide area within the municipal area and from outside. The strong seas characteristic of this coastline have degraded the pools over time and they were in urgent need of repair which, much to the credit of Cape Agulhas municipality, it has now undertaken.

Both pools blend in seamlessly with the coastline and are filled with fresh seawater during spring tides and the period just before and after.

The pools are an irreplaceable asset to the community and it is the only public facility of its kind in the Overberg. The refurbishment will only add to the pleasant experience of visitors and residents using the pools. — John Butler, Cape Town

Late-life change of mind

Former president Robert Mugabe’s dominance of Zimbabwean news will never fade, like invaded farms. It is hard to fathom that the iron-fisted man who spearhead the formation of Zanu-PF, nurtured it for 37 years and made it a country brand decided to vote against it in 2018 in favour of a political party — the Movement for Democratic Change — that he had called a puppet of the West for two decades. — Handsen Chikowore, London

Prepare now for post-Khoza era

“Rebel without a Khoza” (July 29) refers. Lunga Sokhela might have taken a lot of flak for his utterances about Irvin Khoza being the only person in South Africa to lead the Premier Soccer League. But the events of the past 17 years suggest that the Iron Duke is indispensable. It’s unfortunate that a brand as big as the PSL relies solely on one person to function efficiently. As Khulu Sibiya rightly points out, the league shouldn’t be overly reliant on an individual to make it work; it needs a group of capable, competent and independent people to make the right decisions.

The issue of not having a permanent CEO has the potential to drag the league down. For a long time, Mato Madlala has been acting in that position, and it’s not desirable to have a club owner effectively running the league. It’s time a new crop of administrators were introduced so that when the Kaizer Motaungs and Irvin Khozas of this world move on we don’t have to start from scratch looking for capable people. — Kiekie Mboweni, Nkowankowa