Zanele Hlatshwayo

ByWBSComms

Zanele Hlatshwayo

Current title
YouTube Specialist, Google

Course at Wits Business School
Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing, 2015

A defining moment in my career

I have always believed in creating opportunities for myself. These opportunities do not only have to be self-serving. We should also strive towards improving our society in building a legacy that will outlive our generation. One such moment for me was when I decided to raise funds and awareness for causes very close to home – depression and suicide. My father committed suicide after suffering from severe depression.

I could not stand still and do nothing whilst so many people suffered in silence. A suicide occurs every four seconds globally and 23 people commit suicide daily in South Africa. It is for those reasons I decided to raise funds for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), by running 18 races between January and July this year. My final race, which took place on the 27th of July 2018, was the Washie 100 miler; a 162 km race for 26 hours. The project has become a catalyst for raising much needed awareness on mental illness and demystifying depression and suicide. Career progression is important but it is also important to serve others whilst on a journey to success.

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