Sharing life with the public has been challenging, according to reality television star Sbonelo Chicken Mhlongo.
Mhlongo said in an interview with Sunday World that it was difficult for him to share his life with the public because he had extremely low self-esteem.
“It has been an amazing journey because it has made me stronger and increased my self-esteem. Since I’ve shared my life with the public, it has drastically changed,” he said.
“I mean, from just no one walking on the streets, no one could care less. Now, though, everywhere I go, people notice and love me in malls, streets, and totally everywhere.
“That’s one of the things that has boosted my self-esteem.”
Living freely as a gay man
He stated that he wants to share and educate people that it is okay to be as feminine or as masculine as you want to be through his reality show KwaNjomane, which chronicles the lives of his family members.
“We owe no one any explanation about the life we are living because we are still humans,” shared Mhlongo.
“And I know that if I am doing it the right way, I am probably influencing another young man watching who has not accepted himself to be content with himself and accept himself the way he is.”
Mhlongo is now, at last, living freely as a gay man. He proposed in October 2023 and got engaged shortly after coming out.
Coming out to his father’s side of the family was particularly difficult for the reality television star.
“They live a different life, and I knew it would be hard for them to understand,” he shared.
He sees Pride Month as an opportunity to celebrate freedom, much like Youth Day.
It is freedom for members of the LGBTQI+ community to express themselves the way they want to express themselves, he said.
Anxiety and depression
“We are saying enough is enough to kill us, rape us, and harass us. We are bold, we are different, and we definitely stand out. We are celebrating that throughout the month.”
The 23-year-old Mhlongo said that members of the LGBTQI+ community go through so much in private.
They experience hate and trolls from the public, but despite their anxiety and depression, people still expect them to go out there and appear happy.
“This year, I am planning to be the voice; I’m planning to encourage the ones that are still struggling with self-acceptance,” he said.
“I believe that through my following, I will be able to help one or two people.”
