Katlego Sekhu
Names are a cornerstone of personal identity—a sound others associate with you and a marker you carry throughout life.
While some may adopt or adapt their names in adulthood, these choices often reflect deeper cultural or familial ties.
During a recent discussion on Drive 959, host Glen Lewis explored this topic, asking listeners, “Did you always love your name, or did you struggle with it at times?”
Glen Lewis, who is of Tswana and Venda heritage, shared his naming journey.
His mother gifted him English names, while his father chose Venda names. However, one Venda name—Mbulaeni—was rarely used. “My family avoided it because my mother believed it would bring me bad luck,” he explained.
The name Mbulaeni (meaning Mpolaye in Setswana) caused division in his family.
“My mother preferred Mpotseng, so most family members call me that,” he said. “But my father insists on Mbulaeni. I never understood why until I realised it wasn’t about me—it was tied to his familial relationships.”
For more on this discussion, tune in to the podcast.
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