On Pivoting

Mmamabudusha Thema

On Pivoting is a space for thoughtful, grounded conversations with people navigating the intersection of work, identity, and purpose. Each episode is a dialogue: slow, reflective, and intentional. We explore the decisions, doubts, pivots, and quiet convictions that shape how people live and work, beyond titles or outcomes.

  1. May 12

    Stop Overthinking | Dabu Madiseng on Depression, Generational Conditioning & Freedom

    What does it mean to live a life that actually feels like your own?In this episode of On Pivoting, Dabu Madiseng unpacks the tension between freedom, expectation, and the quiet voice inside all of us that knows when we’re living out of alignment. From rejecting the pressure to “pick one thing” to redefining success on his own terms, Dabu speaks openly about creativity, career choices, depression, activism, and the fear of building a life that looks good on paper but feels empty in reality.This conversation explores what happens when you stop overthinking, trust yourself, and choose freedom over performance — even when the outcome is uncertain.Sometimes the biggest pivot is giving yourself permission to live differently.

    59 min

  2. May 5

    Starting Over | Bongiwe Mokati on Choosing Again and Choosing Better

    From electrical engineering to computer science, this is a story about choosing again and choosing better.In this conversation, Bongiwe Mokati shares how a gap year, self-doubt, and starting from zero led her to a path where she now thrives - winning hackathons, earning recognition, and building a future in tech.We talk about feeling left behind, finding your place, navigating male-dominated spaces, and learning to accept failure as part of growth.This episode is about letting go of what doesn’t fit, trusting the process, and starting over with purpose.

    21 min

  3. Apr 28

    I Didn’t Recognise Myself Anymore | Lerato Raphela

    There comes a point where you look at your life…and you don’t recognise yourself anymore.After losing her father, Lerato Raphela turned to drugs as a way to cope. What started casually became something that slowly took over until she found herself living a life she didn’t recognise.In this episode, she shares the moment everything shifted, what it took to choose differently, and how she rebuilt her life from the ground up.

    21 min

  4. Apr 21

    Grief, Growth & Carrying On | Linda Dube on Losing Her Mom While Doing Her Masters

    In this episode of On Pivoting, Linda Dube joins us for a deeply honest conversation about grief, resilience, and what it means to keep going when life doesn’t pause. While completing her Master’s degree, Linda lost her mother, yet continued studying, lecturing, and showing up for life in ways she didn’t think were possible. This is a conversation about quiet resilience, the complexity of grief, and the parts of ourselves we meet when we have no choice but to carry on.

    1h 4m

  5. Apr 14

    The Relationship With Yourself | Lucinda Valentine on Choosing You Daily

    What does it actually mean to have a relationship with yourself?In this episode of On Pivoting, Lucinda Valentine explores self-connection beyond clichés — from disconnection and emotional overwhelm to learning how to regulate, choose yourself, and show up with clarity in your daily life.We unpack how this relationship shapes everything: how you love, how you respond, and how you move through the world.

    58 min

  6. Apr 7

    Giving Without Losing Yourself | Sindeka Mandoyi on The Cost of Always Showing Up for Everyone Else

    In this episode of On Pivoting, we sit down with Sindeka Mandoyi, a children’s author, literacy activist, and founder of the Chosi Chosi Book Club.But this conversation isn’t just about the work.It’s about what it costs to care.From growing up without books to building a space for children in her community, Sindeka shares what it means to constantly show up for others while quietly navigating the weight of responsibility, family, sacrifice, and self-neglect.We explore the tension between giving and choosing yourself.This is a conversation about relationships in their fullest form — to family, to community, and to yourself.

    1h 18m

  7. Mar 31

    The Value of Bones | Sivuyile Pharela on Finding your Voice in Broken Systems

    In this episode of On Pivoting , we sit down with Sivuyile Pharela — a Digital Anthropologist exploring identity, society, and what it means to exist in an increasingly digital world. From leaving psychology after just a few days to discovering anthropology, Sivuyile shares a deeply personal journey shaped by poverty, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of understanding. We unpack broken education systems, the pressure to “make it” after university, and how identity is formed beyond race, class, or tradition. This conversation challenges how we think about life, death, belonging and what it really means to find your voice. If you’ve ever questioned where you fit in the world, this one is for you.

    1h 5m

  8. Mar 24

    Quiet Pivots of Early Adulthood | Sanele Mlambo on Expectations and Coming back to Yourself

    In this episode, we sit down with Sanele Mlambo for a conversation on the quiet pivots of early adulthood, the subtle, often unseen shifts that shape who we become.We explore what it means to come back to yourself, question the path you’re on, and make decisions that feel aligned rather than expected. From navigating identity and expectations to choosing happiness over performance, this conversation reflects the in-between moments we rarely speak about.This is not about having it all figured out, it’s about learning to listen to yourself as you go.

    1h 4m
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About

On Pivoting is a space for thoughtful, grounded conversations with people navigating the intersection of work, identity, and purpose. Each episode is a dialogue: slow, reflective, and intentional. We explore the decisions, doubts, pivots, and quiet convictions that shape how people live and work, beyond titles or outcomes.

Information

  • Creator
    Mmamabudusha Thema
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mmamabudusha Thema
  • Show Website
    On Pivoting