Katlego Sekhu
Sibu Mabena, the visionary founder of Duma Collective, recently sat down with Tbose on “My Top 10 at 10” to shed light on the remarkable journey that led to the establishment of her agency.
Discussing the strategic move to new offices, Mabena expressed the significance of making a visual impact. The aim was to create a landmark that not only caught the attention of passersby but also inspired them. With a deep sense of purpose, Duma Collective wanted to send a powerful message: “Look, black individuals are accomplishing this. What’s holding us back?”
Reflecting on the inception and growth of her company, Mabena shared her invaluable insights, emphasizing the blend of readiness to seize opportunities and the role of individuals who recognized her potential. This blend, combined with her refusal to decline any opportunity, laid the foundation for her journey. Mabena delved into her involvement with Cassper’s Fill-Up series, attributing it to her relentless pursuit of perfectionism.
“I think I got obsessed with that feeling. This is how it feels to fill up The Dome and sell tickets before the show starts with music. I put myself out there, making sure that people find me and when they do find me; I throw everything and the kitchen sink at it.”
On overcoming fear
Overcoming fear emerged as a pivotal theme in Mabena’s narrative. She openly shared her struggles, including the fear of letting people down and the apprehension of negative outcomes.
“Fear of disappointing people, fear of failing people, fear of negative feedback or backlash has been one of my driving forces to say, How do I avoid people having a negative experience of me? Besides, the fear of failure is not much because we can pick up and start again. My name is Sibuyile, and I think I am constantly boomeranging back.
“It’s a series of being ready to meet the opportunity and being hellbent on working with companies the way companies need you to work with them. I didn’t want to miss out on opportunities because I am a freelancer, and I didn’t have capital. Unfortunately, corporate South Africa doesn’t care about your talent if you can’t deliver based on their conditions. Global access first and MTV base second,” she said.
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