BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – “Imali ayikabhalwa kutsi ichamuka kuphi”
These words were echoed by Doctor Phumlani Mamba (33) from Nhlangano, who has a positive mind-set of not playing the victim of unemployment, even though he graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), but instead he chose to push his side hustle in the meantime.
He is also a motivational speaker and a minister of the Gospel. He has a side hustle of selling layer chickens to make ends meet. In this economy we all need a side hustle! We tracked him down on social media for him to share his story with us, and this is what he had to say:
Where did you study medicine?
I enrolled for a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, previously known as Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA), a six-year course.
What motivated you to study medicine?
Growing up, I was a victim of bullying. My self-esteem was at zero while growing up. I know the pain of waiting for everyone to leave school so I can walk alone and cry my way back home. I was walking around with that trauma.
It was after I received Jesus as my Lord and saviour, and I embraced the person of the Holy Spirit, that I found myself and my purpose in life. Not only did I meet Christ on that day, but I also met Phumlani. I saw no need to fit in; I had a friend and helper. The world rejected me; I rebranded and reintroduced myself.
Medicine was that thing to reintroduce myself with. It was like scales fell off my eyes; even in my academics, there was this wisdom that I could not explain where it came from. Prayer motivated me. I’m from a Christian family; we were taught nothing but prayer.
In light of not being employed, tell us more about your side hustle.
Currently I sell layer chickens, where I slaughter and dress them, each going at E90.00, but if you buy 10 or more, I sell them at E85.00 each. I supply restaurants and individuals. I personally deliver to my clients at their doorsteps. Dressed or live, you name it; I am at your service. I also do motivational speaking, where I share my story with young people, allowing them to touch my scars. Regardless of where we come from and how we grew up, they are born for greatness; in this earth vessel, there is treasure. I am also a minister of the Gospel, not as a side hustle but as a kingdom man.
What can you say to young people about side hustles?
Once you kill the “ME” factor, you will discover that it is easy to start one and learn to love it. Money has no label where it comes from, whether it is from an office somewhere or from the streets. (Imali ayikabhalwa kutsi ichamuka kuphi”). Business is everywhere. The person next to you is a business. She/he has a body to cover; he needs clothes; he/she gets hungry; he/she needs food; he/she has nails and hair; he/she wants both styled. There are just a lot of ideas. You have your phone; you got a whole department store in your pocket. You market your product and seal deals there. Other than sitting down, stressing, and complaining about life, find something to do.
A side hustle is the way to go. It will also help you in the future to have multiple incomes. Who knows? Maybe even some of your destiny helpers—you will meet them through your side hustle. It also saves one from committing to staffs that they should not, because of money.
What has life taught you so far?
Invest in yourself. Add value to yourself; there are doors and opportunities that respond to a certain, or specific, version of you.
What would be your ideal job?
Being in a hospital somewhere practicing medicine. I would love to see and meet different people solve their medical issues. I long for the day when I will officially step into a medical facility. I think about who will be my first patient. My encounter with that patient. My registrar and consultant on that day. If things were according to plan, I would have finished my internship by now, planning and working towards specialising in cardiothoracic surgery.
What can you say to the government to encourage grooming varsity students about life after varsity?
It is important to have lessons on financial wisdom, where our youth will be taught about money, the art of budgeting, and saving. The wisdom of making money out there. Prepare them mentally on how to cope while waiting for the opportunity to work in their field of study.
Any advice to our government
There is a migration of the learnt in the country looking for opportunities in other countries. Slowly the country is losing great minds. The wisdom to rule nations, the key to power, is to capture the learnt so that they keep the economy stronger. She must find a way to use and keep these great minds by creating more opportunities for them.
Any words of wisdom?
Embrace the person of the Holy Spirit and his ministry to humanity; become a wonder to a generation. Nothing and no one can stop you. That’s how a boy who was bullied and outcast became a doctor and a minister. There is a God who can make a man.
How can people get in touch with you?
To get in touch with me, people reach me on
Facebook: Phumlani Mamba
Instagram: dr_pk_mamba
TikTok: @therealpkmamba
Contact number: 7941 6036/7619 5756
