In 2018, I declared so many things over my life that one could say were positive or progressive; but guess what “Tomorrow is a mystery” and so was everything that had happened to me over the past few months were hard to believe they were real.  I had found a perfect job in a creative working space with the most creative-minded people but little did I know how my life would have another huge setback, a life-changing one and most definitely depressing.

A month after I was hired at this new job I had to go for my last operation (Post Ventral Hernia Repair).  The operation was successful; however, a month later I could feel that I had not fully recovered. I noticed that I was often feeling dizzy, forgetful, shaking badly, body temperature fluctuating, and for a morning person like myself, I was struggling to wake up and look forward to a new day.

Because of the nature of my body and what had happened to me before I didn’t want to speculate with regards to my body reaction;  instead I went to see a private doctor who examined me and wrote out a letter to my employer stating that I need to urgently visit the hospital due to my severe  anaemia.

I decided it was best to go to the hospital that had previously done all my surgeries and saved my life a number of times.  Without any hesitation, they took blood tests and found that I have severe anaemia like the private doctor had diagnosed. A week later I was back to work taking all the anaemia medication that I was given by the hospital but still I would feel sick, the dizziness and nausea were becoming worse, and most of the time I was under the work desk sleeping. It felt like my heart was slowly sinking and a few weeks later I noticed that I had lost a lot of weight. My sister came to look after me and it was then that she found out that I had been taking the wrong medication.  Unfortunately by that time I had resigned from work and had decided it was for the best to put my health first.

Ever since then I have not been the happiest person. I slowly distanced myself from God and literally put a pause on my spiritual growth. I often feel sad and ask myself: “Why me? How I got to where I am now God? Where were you when all of this happened?  How did I get to the point where I was compromising my values and faith in Christ?”

I can easily say that at this point in my life I could not figure myself out. I was emotional, aggressive, sad, lonely, forgetful, and in deep pain – It had become a lifestyle of emotional and physical pain.  Sometimes I wonder if I am ever going to be capable of doing anything big, I mean the work life, starting my own initiative, a married life, having a family one day. Then I remembered that there is God and through it all, he is still with me and he will do what only he can do when the time is right.

I have been told many times that I need to consult a physiotherapist and a psychologist. Yes, I agree I have to but one can only get to see such specialists when they can afford them. In the meantime, I have decided to train myself the best and safest way I can until I can afford them.

Emotionally I cope through reading inspiring books by mostly Christian authors, I do motivational speaking, photoshoots and through social media, I write honest and authentic content about my journey.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Physically I do a lot of walks on the beach, hiking, camping, swimming, and body exercises like Yoga and Gym ball workouts to strengthen my back. Sometimes it freaks me out not knowing how safe these exercises are for my back, but trusting in God I do them hoping they will do half of what a physiotherapist can do.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It gives me great joy to know that I am not alone and that I can share my failings and successes with people going through similar situations. At this point in my life, I have no idea what I want besides continuing to ignite hope in those who have given up on life.

“Only one life,

‘Twill soon be past.

Only what’s done for Christ

will last.” Reggie.

On the 7th July 2018, Saturday was the greatest day for most South Africans. Thousands of South Africans were at the Vodacom Durban July to celebrate all things fashion, food, drinks, music, and horse racing. We live in an interesting world whereby as individuals prioritize on different things in different times and that is why on that same day hundreds of people were in Ballito, Sugar Rush Park taking part in the fitness workout brought by Women’s Health Magazine.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the Fit Night Out event and all thanks to the #ShieldReady team for bringing me with.

One of Shield’s primary reasons for partnering with Women’s Health Magazine on this event was to empower women by giving them the confidence they need to take on the day and be #ShieldReady.

Images: http://bit.ly/2O4Yvz0

Women around Durban could not contain their excitements as the work-out party of the year finally arrived in their hometown. They came out in numbers and well prepared to take on the day. As someone who was there mostly to capture moments and observe what was happening. It was interesting to watch women conversing and setting fitness goals amongst each other “Starting today I will dedicate time for an exercise” said Tess Mushaka engaging with other women and that is what I call the renewing of mind and body.

Image: Women’s Health Magazine

We had a privilege of being trained by our favorite fitspiration stars Mapule Ndhlovu, Nkateko “Takkies” Maswanganye and Sbahle Mpisane aka FitnessBunnie. There were other many brilliant gym instructors including the Virgin Active gym instructors. Bear in mind that each of these fitness queens were showing their unique workout styles at the Shield stage during the course of the afternoon. Some of these exercises were easy to crack while some were tough and having said that the ladies were still pushing. fun and fitness kept going on with all sorts of activities including yoga, dancing, burpees and other cool activities from different instructors.

Video: http://www.instagram.com/madame_blog/?hl=en

Image: https://www.instagram.com/madame_blog/

What made the day more exciting was that everyone was aware of what to expect on the day, what was in their goodie bags and more surprises kept showing up as the day went by. All thanks to the Women’s Health Magazine SA for collaborating with other big brands such as Shield SA, Adidas, Powerade, Hullets ZA, Virgin Active, and Total Sport.

Remember it’s the starts that stops many dreams from coming to existence and hopefully the goodies will motivate to continue on the fitness journey they have started. Thanks to all the sponsors participated, Adidas with yoga mats, caps and water bottle. Shield with wireless headphones, deodorants spray, skipping ropes, water bottles and, caps.

We all aware that where there’s a group of brands collaborating in one campaign there is bound to be fun memories & goodie bags to take home with. In a nutshell, all the attendees left sweating with unforgettable sporty goodies.

Thanks to the http://www.instagram.com/womenshealthmagsa/ and all the other brands that sponsored and made Durban ladies day outstanding.

#WomensHealth #NeverDone #ShieldReady#EquipSweet

Ever since the arrival of bloggers and influencers in the digital industry, their main competitor has always been celebrities but with technology always finding new ways of doing things, they came up with a new creation that’s currently turning heads on social media.

Influencers and bloggers, I believe you are very much aware of your soon to be worst nightmare competitor in the digital industry. The Computer Generated Social Media Influencers.

As a concerned representative of influencers and bloggers. My main question to the masterminds of artificial inventors is,

1. Does it ever cross your mind that your creations could affect people?

2. To elaborate more on my first question, human influencers have established a good relationship with the very same big brands that your creation are collaborating with; did you think of HI Influencers risk to unemployment?

3. Do you think you contribute towards job creation or job alleviation?

While I am trying to get into minds of artificial creators and figure out if human beings are a priority or not. Can we shift our minds for a bit to Elon Musk? (The CEO of Tesla and Space X) who mentioned something very profound during his meeting with Mark Zuckerberg. As forever intelligent as he is, he said “ When dealing with technologies lest humans lose control of their creation”, which in other words means that technology is very much a “Fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization”.

So, in my understanding, Elon Musk was asking us to not take away from people or their creativity but instead to better their lives creatively with the aid of technology. After all, this is not a one mans world to benefit from.

If you are as active as I am on social media, you will know that Lil Miquels (@lilmiquela), Bermuda (@Bermuda) and Shudu (@shudu.gram) are a talk on social media. They have caught the eyes of many social media followers and regardless of the fact that, both these CGI Influencers have revealed that they exist on cyberspace but not physically, however, brands still turn a blind eye and are STILL collaborating with these CGI Influencers on social media to promote brands and products.

These CGI Influencers are flooding our social media feeds with their cool motion designs, photographs and content. They look real and dress real but all of this makes me wonder and pose a question to brands.

Brands, while we are still shocked by the newly found scandal that you buy followers, likes and engagements for your brands’ social media pages, you are now involved in this lunatic, inconsiderate deal with the ghosts Influencers.

• • 1. Isn’t using CGI Influencers misleading to your clientele and consumers?
    2. How does an artificial influencer resonate with your everyday human?

With all being said, I would like to hear how the most affected group feels about this situation and I would like to know if they agree with Elon Musk’s point about technology and humans? Bloggers and influencers, please share your opinions and enlighten me on how you feel about this new concept and how will it affect your line of work?

I wish I could say more but I do not want to bore you so I will leave you with my thought on this new competitor. When inventing something new, we need to be cautious of whether we are building or smashing down bridges with each others as humans.

We can have all these amazing creations that makes the world go crazy, curious and fascinated but without humans, can we really survive this thing called a beautiful life? Let’s not forget about each other’s needs and wants and let’s not end the means to go fulfill them.

 

I would like to hear your perspective of this new creation of CGI Influencers.

Did you know that working at Gorilla Creative Media had made me feel AWESOME about myself? My obsession with Gorilla began when a colleague from my previous job spoke amazing things about the company culture, the people, the brands and the environment.

RULE 101: Do not say exceptional things to me about something and expect me not to be curious.

Every afternoon on my way home, I would see Gorilla signage from the M4 and it would bring the best feeling as I would start to visualize myself and the team content strategizing on the balcony, holding a cup of cappuccino.  Yes, the feeling was fulfilling but my stomach would start rumbling out of fear.

I had heard of the work Gorilla produce for their clients and the Awards they have won and that makes me wonder if I was ever going to be that good enough to work for them. “Such a highly well talked about agency in town, hire a not-so-experienced and if not so capable rural girl” – I would say.

After an accident and having all these injuries, I felt so worthless and incompetence in my work because every few months I had to put up a leave form for another surgery.  while in the hospital and expected to rest and heal, I would over think about how inconveniencing my life has become after the accident.

However, I had forgotten how words and thoughts carry so much life and death and fortunately for me, it carried life – I mean light :).  After months of fantasizing about Gorilla and how cool it will be to work for them, I received a Linkedin inbox message followed by an email about the job interview.

To my disbelief, I called a friend to go over my email just in case I read or interpreted it incorrectly. She approved it is what I thought it was. I had to go for an interview, I had to see what everyone talks about and by the end of the week, I received an email back saying, I quote “Hi Neli, Well done! Please find an attached letter of offer from Gorilla for the Community Manager role :).

Please let me know if you are happy to accept and then send me your signed offer of employment asap. You can send the other documents thereafter. Congratulations!”

From that day, I promised to let God be God and let him do what only him can do.

It sounded so good to be true but I thought, I just shot a documentary by a London based TV Media, what can be cooler than that. That was my best week ever but let me tell you this folk. As soon as you begin to speak life and truth over your life, things begin to fall into place and that is what happened with me. God is taking me on a different journey and whenever he feels to say “Neli, it’s time you prepare yourself to relocate in another country or leave your job and volunteer” I will go where his spirit leads me. If he blows the wind in a different direction, that is where you will find me.

I have noticed this about myself, I turn to put God in a box as soon as I enter my place of work, just as I do when I find myself in a place sadness, hopeless and doubtful moments but the truth lies here. God only wants what is best for me and you.

I know that I am sheltered in his presence and I believe I am at Gorilla to serve my best with no limitations to grow my skills. God wants me to be active, creative, innovative and be productive and I promise to be just that in my place of work.

As always, I have just deviated from the original topic but if you know me well you will not complain but comply and get used to it 🙂

[Back to the Topic] 

Within a week of working at Gorilla. I had to introduce myself to the Team of 40 + creatives and awesome people. At first, I thought to myself, I will set up the powerpoint presentation on a slide show and let it play on its own. It did not cross my mind whether I should take them through it or not until my Manager told me that I will have to speak through it.

You could have seen how anxious I was but she believed I can do it and so I had to put on my smile and believe in myself. Before I knew it, I was done and everyone was happy to know about a newbie :).

I don’t know about you but I have to be honest and say “I find this introductory idea very interesting, thoughtful and important and what makes it even cooler is that it’s not just an introductory platform for newbies but it’s an ever continuous platform where you can post interesting learning and trends just to keep the team updated through presenting it in front of everyone. This idea has given me the greatest hope to perfect my public speaking.

Check my presentation and leave a comment below 🙂

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Thank you for watching.

 

 

I have been asking myself this question for some time “Why do I have so much fear that people around me even notice how it has affected me.

I have sleepless nights, my entire face has reacted badly with pimples and my body feels as if someone has been beating it with a Sjambok. I overeat for someone who shouldn’t be but apparently, my twin sister who by the way is very observant thinks that I have lost a few kilos and she has seen that every time she massages me.

A part of me feels as if I have underestimated how the thought of going for a Post Ventral Hernia Repair had an effect on both mental and physical spirit. Having to deal with it now was the hardest thing most especially because it has always been on my mind ever since and also, there has been a lot of changes in my life and I needed to adjust in so many areas of it.  so much happened in a few months, getting baptised at Olive Tree Church on Florida, getting a new job at Gorilla Creative Media, shooting of my documentary by a well-known TV Media based in London called Barcroft.TV and preparing for my operation just to mention a few.

I believe none of you was aware of this but I have postponed the surgery dates twice and both times was due to fear. Not so much fear of physical pain but of body transformation and learning to accept my body again. Not only had I find comfort and satisfaction in my current body transformation but I had promised myself that I will do anything to avoid hospital stay even if it means I drag my surgery date. Everything about that place takes me back into the world I would rather forget. I can’t bear the memories I have of both ICU and High Care Unit not to mention the horrendous experience at 4Fward unit. Believe me, I can write series of stories about what nurses do to patients at 4F Ward Unit and how vital it is for the Minister of Health to interfere and look into it with in-depth lenses.

It is clear that the unconsciousness from the nurses goes a long way and that, there is more to it than just the statement “They mean and abusive to patients”. Had the Minister looked to ways to better their days at the workplace through counselling sessions? searching for a purpose and calling, and maybe they will find it again. Reminding them that there is more to their job than just an every month paycheck. They nurse and save lives.

We had a serious emotional chat with my brother in law – Zolani Masemola and his lovely wife Sinethemba Masemola about the staff nurses and what had gone wrong with their conscious, Zolani suggested that counselling could help, he continued to state that “nurses bear too much daily” how he had stated it awakened me to see beyond what I have concluded about their behaviour towards patients.

I have a tendency not to stick to the original story, enough about the nurses for now and back to the OS…

When I told my Doctor’s that I am going back to work, they did not seem to approve of it, I could see it in their faces and their response as I engage with some of them on WhatsApp but they never said I should not go back. I believe they did not want to make decisions for me but they kept telling me to take a good care of myself. They would say, “Be gentle Neli, you need to rest, rest”.  little did I know that all along, they feared for my health, both physical and emotional.

A few weeks after I went back to work, I would disappear now and then and go to the ladies room where I used to cry my lungs out, then come out after I have outdone my facial. and that wasn’t because of Nkonzo’s passing and had nothing to do with my struggle to adjust to my new life with a colostomy bag at work or that my back was in pain due to using the public transport but it was something small as the sound of a printing machine. Every time it would beep Ti…Ti…Ti, something awakens memories of deep pain.

At first, I thought it would stop and that I will get over it. I would say ” I will take it like a strong black lady and not show that it has an effect in me”  but until this day I am still in fear that the machine will make a sound and I would react with a bucket of tears out of nowhere.  “What if people think I was hallucinating or that I had PTSD”.  It is never my intention to frighten or drag anyone into my world of fear with me but the sound of a printing machine takes me straight to the first time I woke up in ICU after three weeks. The sound of ICU equipment was the first thing I could hear and apparently “I started panicking, I began to pull out all the plugs and pipes that were in my mouth and my nose”. I remember waking up and both my arms were attached to the hospital bed that I was lying on. It was the first time I felt like a prison 🙂

Maybe I am losing it but that sound, that noise, no matter how far it is. It leaves me fearing for my life, freezing and drowning in my own thoughts, thoughts that I wish no one can ever experience. hopeless and dead thoughts.

With all that fear, at first, I thought to myself “What damage would it make if I do not go for the post ventral hernia surgery and just keep my stomach the way it is – I mean, “I have already found comfort in it, people are aware of it and seem to be comfortable with it”.

Sometimes, I honestly feel like I was born this way, with a skin graft stomach.  I have grown to fall in love with how my intestines dance inside of me and make a funny noise when they are hungry, grumpy or happily full after feasting. There is no part of me that wish any better than what I am right now besides my spinal back operation. I look good, feel good and I do good for myself. Why should I go for this surgery” – I would asking myself.

But I guess my questions were all not thoughts well off. firstly, I have no muscles in my stomach, meaning that I cannot control my intestines. The more I eat, the more they expand. I have been battling to go on dates with guys because I would fear that if I eat a lot, I would look totally unsexy and totally different in my outfit. I know you might be thinking, then you should try to eat less when you go on dates. I am sorry hun, but when they smell food, there is no compromising for “THEM”. It is all about “THEM”. and worse of it all, they can smell good food from the distance and begin to jive on my stomach like a baby kicking on its mummies stomach. I could feel and see every move they make and I can tell when they react out of hunger and not gladly full.

Also, they dislike when I less feed them, they will humiliate me with a loud noise and that means “We are still hungry, feed us more”. They behave the same as when I had a colostomy bag.

Secondly, having a stomach like mine means that you are always at risk. It would not be wise decision to get pregnant while still have a patch because HELLO, I have no control over it, remember it keeps expanding. I can imagine what would happen, KABOOM :).

And thirdly, I am easily open to danger. Let’s say that by any bad luck I engage in any misfortune fight and some ratchet person stab my stomach – deep in the bottom,  it would go straight to my intestines and they might burst and that would cost going back to having a colostomy bag and that is the last thing I would want to happen. not having a colostomy bag was a highlight of my LIFE.

This Wednesday, the 9th of May 2018, is the day I have been avoiding for months but it has finally arrived and yes, I still have fear and I am so damn tired of having to get used to my body transformation that comes with so much package;  discomfort, pains, bandage dressings every two days, visit at the nearest clinics, dealing with the staff nurse bull shark,  blood, infections, unhealthiness and feeling sick and not being able to do things for my self-sucks big time..

But, let me be real for a second and share wise words that I have received from a friend. “You have survived a lot of surgeries Neli, so this is nothing but a last stamp from God” – “Lungi Mthethwa”

A month ago I was approached by a lovely lady named Lisa Welsh if I would be interested in being featured on her website page.  I was asked to either do a selfie style video sharing my story or something important to me or any message and format that might be comfortable for me, so I chose a write up story.

Every Friday, Lisa use her website as a space for female expression. Through photography, sculpture, video, writing, dance, song… you name it.

This is what Lisa came up with from one of the stories I have published on my LinkedIn account.  “Neli was the victim of a horrific car accident, which claimed a close friend and left her fighting for her life. While she has recovered and is enjoying life once again, Neli has been left with scars, both physical and mental.

Miraculously, she has overcome her injuries and is recovering from the tragedy of that day. She found strength in faith and the people around her.

Today, you could almost forget that Neli has experienced such trauma. She is vivacious, colourful and full of light. She inspires many by sharing her story with the world through social media and her blog.

Neli intends to share the full story in a book (The Miracle Patient) and she has recently caught the attention of London based, Barcroft Media, who will be flying to South Africa to interview her soon.

Here is Neli’s Story

“In August 2016, I was involved in a tragic car accident which led to me losing a great friend and left me fighting for my life in an intensive high care unit for a two-month hospital stay.

My life has taken a drastic 360-degree change ever since that fateful night.

Mentally, spiritually, and physically I have a different outlook on life, people, and the world itself.

I have grown to understand that God exists and is alive and that is a non-negotiable because of my personal experience with him.

That I made it through the tragedy still shocks a lot of people. That I am alive, that I can walk and that I still smile through it all. Doctors rejoice every time they see me and some break into tears of joy.

Is my life ever going to be the same again? NOPE.

Should I pity myself for it? HELL NO!

We live most of our lives unaware that it’s the little things that are more important. How much of a big deal it is to have both your little toes working just perfect. It isn’t until a tragedy occurs that our eyes are opened to real big things. I would hear my granny complaining about her back pains and think to myself, “she’s just lazing” or “spoiling herself” but in all honesty, you do not mess around with your back.

Losing A Friend

Losing a friend was not easy. I still struggle to believe that he is gone. Not to mention the anger I have for negligence from the authorities. Sometimes, I wonder how things would have turned out for him if maybe, just maybe they paid a little bit more attention.

It was when I was told about his loss, that I began to take the incident very seriously. I felt really angry and I blamed so many people. I asked myself:

“Why me, I have been very acceptive of so many things in life and now this, I hate my body, it disgusts me.” 

The Lessons In Pain

The physical pain was overwhelming. But the mental pain was terrifying.

• I had a colostomy bag for 10 months
• There is constant severe pain in my back
• I was afraid to be alone because I hated myself and was scared I might even end my life

God reminded me something.  “To be able to get your attention, some things in your life had to go wrong and some things had to change forever, but for the better.”

God has fixed my life in a way that no one else could.

I’ve started valuing life more. I taught myself to be gentle with myself and to accept my body transformation.

God has been tremendous in my life. He keeps exceeding my expectations and most importantly, he keeps exciting me.

You know why? Because he knows that he created a happy, bubbly and influential person and he will do anything to keep my face happy. 🙂

My Purpose

As a woman of prayer, I decided to fast for 5 full days. I told God my story and asked him to lead me where his spirit wanted me to be.

I have come to realize that everything I do revolves around me making a difference. Now I know that I want to touch other people’s lives through my story.

Without my faith, and the support of people across the Globe and especially my South African people, I wouldn’t have been able to put my life back together.  I have no words to thank you all for being there when I needed you the most.”

Stay up to date with me on Instagram , Facebook

It has been proven by many influencer marketing experts Influencer Marketing and Celebrity Endorsement are two very different options for brands to include in their marketing campaign and that the two do not operate or function the same and both options result in very different results.

“I’ve actually learned first-hand that brand advocates and micro – influencers have the potential to recruit long-term brand advocates into your brand, which (surprise-surprise) is much more powerful than generating a one-off sale” – Philip Brown (hyperlink to https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/theres-something-you-need-know-influencer-marketing-philip-brown-1), Head of Influencer Marketing & Brand Advocacy

But what’s the difference and how will your brand benefit the most from one or both?

 

 

Celebrity Influencers and endorsements

It is no surprise that celebrities have more followers than influencers but just because your favourite celebrity posted about the newest perfume you must be wearing or music festival that you just HAVE to attend, that it is credible or a genuine post from them.

Brands continue to throw money at them, most recently the failed Fyre Festival, where models and celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski, were paid $250 000 to endorse the event, while other high-profile Instagram users were paid $10 000 per post shared on the platform, failing to disclose to the public that these were paid posts, all against the Federal Trade Commission. These influencers had legal action taken against them citing “Social Media ‘influencers’ made no attempt to disclose to consumers that they were being compensated for promoting the Fyre Festival. Instead these influencers gave the impression that the guest list was full of the Social Elite and other celebrities.”

In other instances, these endorsements have been found out by the celebrities themselves, sharing more than what they should – remember when Scott Disick shared the notes from the brand on his Instagram and Twitter?

It might be an exciting way to get people interested in your product or event, but the repercussions to your brand could far outweigh the benefits.  Often the content of this paid endorsement or post come across as forced and unauthentic but there is light at the end of the tunnel if your brand wants to go down this route. Work with the celebrities to ensure that it sounds like the celebrity, let them tell it in their own brand voice and when their audience is naturally engaging with the celebrity.

 

Influencers and bloggers

An exciting new area for brands to explore in communicating their messaging is with smaller and at times, slightly more unknown influencers and bloggers. There is an emerging market in using micro influencers over macro influencers. By using these influencers and bloggers, brands can communicate through real people, in an authentic voice.

There are two types of influencers – macro and micro. Macro influencers are not that different to your celebrities, besides the celebrity title. These influencers have large audiences that they can push your message and brand out to, often at a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, the engagement of macro influencers posts are on the lower end, but if you are looking for reach on your post then you’ll be in good hands.

Micro influencers, however, have a smaller following than that of a macro influencer or celebrity, between 1000 and 90 000 followers. Their audience is more engaged in the content that they post which makes these up and coming influencers and bloggers more attractive to brands. These types of content creators are in it for the long haul and want to leverage off your brand as much as you want to leverage off their following.

There is something to be said for bringing in influencers and bloggers for a long-term brand affiliation, rather than just paying them one off. You can together, create bespoke messaging and content, as well as ensuring a complete buy-in from the blogger or influencer which in turn translates into engaging content on their platforms for their followers and your future followers and customers.

There is no right or wrong way forward for your brand, just make sure that the celebrity, blogger or influencer is right for YOUR brand, that they can communicate your vision and objective without sounding forced or fake and your campaign will always win.

Author: Nelisiwe Zuma

Editor: Erin Crous