Somizi’s daughter, Bahumi Mhlongo embarks on motivational speaking journey

Bahumi Mhlongo, the 29-year-old actress and daughter of renowned entertainers Somizi Mhlongo and Palesa Madisakwane, is stepping into a new role: motivational speaking.

With her first seminar, Speak & Be Heard, scheduled for Saturday, 8 February 2024, at the Steyn City Hotel in Johannesburg, Bahumi is set to inspire audiences with her insights on confidence and personal growth.

The Inspiration Behind Speak & Be Heard

Speaking to Daily Sun, Bahumi shared her motivations for hosting the event.

“There were a number of factors at play. The first is more of a personal one from a passion perspective. I really love people, and I think it’s a trait that we should all have. I genuinely care about people, and if there’s anything I can do to help, I want to share that,” she explained.

Her passion for helping others aligns with her long-standing love for public speaking, a skill she honed as early as grade 4. For Bahumi, motivational speaking isn’t just a whim—it’s a natural extension of her personality and life experiences.

“Speaking has always been something I liked from a young age. I think it’s a God-given gift. All that I needed to do was refine it, and now I want to take all that I’ve refined and share it with people,” she said.

Confidence at the Core

The central theme of Speak & Be Heard is confidence, a topic Bahumi feels is often misunderstood.

“One of the things we’ll be discussing at the seminar is confidence. I know it’s something that’s often spoken about loosely. I’ve realised that the world presents a counterfeit version of confidence rather than true confidence,” she remarked.

Bahumi believes true confidence is rooted in trust—trust in oneself, in one’s substance, and in the depth of one’s abilities. She emphasized that many people focus too heavily on external appearances or their ability to deliver a message without considering the substance behind it.

“True confidence is based on trust, and many people trust their ability to speak more than the substance of what they’re saying. I want people to focus on what confidence truly is. I want to draw it out from them in such a way that they can apply it in their lives.”

Personal Growth and Reflection

Bahumi revealed that the past year has been a period of deep personal growth for her.

“I’ve been absorbing, learning, processing, and even shedding tears more intently over the past year. I previously allowed many things to hold me back, with fear being a major one,” she shared.

She described moments when she felt the need to retreat and reflect but acknowledged that this period of hibernation was necessary for her growth. Now, she feels ready to embrace her dreams and ambitions wholeheartedly.

“This time around, I’m doing everything that is inside of me. I have this big drive to let it all out—all the ambitions, the dreams. Let them all out, in God’s due time, of course.”

Looking Ahead

For Bahumi, Speak & Be Heard is just the beginning. As she steps into her role as a motivational speaker, she hopes to inspire others to find their inner strength and embrace true confidence.

Her journey serves as a reminder that personal growth is a lifelong process. By sharing her experiences, she aims to create a space where others feel empowered to grow, learn, and achieve their goals.

“Whether it comes in the form of speaking or another talent or skill, I want to help people. I want to inspire them to discover and refine their gifts, just as I’ve worked to refine mine,” Bahumi concluded.

As Bahumi prepares to host her first seminar, audiences can look forward to an engaging and transformative experience that promises to leave them with tools to build authentic confidence and live their lives boldly.