About
Siyabonga – meaning thank you, a name given to him by his parents on the 24th of August 1984 as a gesture of appreciating to The Almighty, would years later become a gesture of appreciation that he receives from grateful audiences, impacted by his inspirational messages across South Africa. Raised by his mother a domestic worker’s backroom in Empangeni (North Coast KZN), Siya often recalls the numerous episodes where his sister’s intervention became his saving grace from bullies at school. That childhood identity of low self-esteem and an overall inferiority complex was shunned in 1995 when he came across a message (on cassette) by guru motivational speaker and life coach, Tony Robins titled ‘Awaken The Giant Within’.
In January 2006 Siya was taken on by P4 Radio (became Gagasi FM in March 2006) as a Script Writer, working with the Sales and Production Departments to unleash the expertise he had acquired while studying towards his Advertising Diploma at Varsity College from 2003 to 2005. His defining moment as a radio creative would come in 2008, when he was given an opportunity to host Gagasi FM’s Sunday morning inspiration program – ‘Soul Sunday’. He became an instant hit on and off air, garnering speaking platforms in private and public sectors alike. The more he spoke the more he reinforced his convictions and purpose-driven messages that challenge mindsets, which he best describes as ‘Teaching our people that we don’t have to die in the world of not enough, we also shouldn’t get complaisant and satisfied in the world of just enough, but we should endeavor for a very possible world of more than enough.
In 2009 Siya got an opportunity to showcase his skills on national television as a motivational contributor on One Gospel and 2 years later became a judge for the South African Music Awards (SAMA), a responsibility he would hold for the next 5 years.
Another defining moment came in 2014, when the SABC offered Siya an opportunity to showcase himself on Africa’s biggest radio station – Ukhozi FM. It is here on Ukhozi FM TV where Siyabonga continues to impact listeners with his compelling inspiration every day.
Siyabonga professionally practices as a Public Speaker (Inspirational Speaker, Author, Radio Presenter, Voice Over Artist & Master of Ceremonies) under Inspired Concepts Pty (Ltd).
He is on year 2 of his BA degree in Strategic Brand Communication at Vega School of Brand Leadership.
Some of Siyabonga’s popular messages available on audio books (in English and IsiZulu) include: ‘In The Meantime’, ‘Bambelela Siyajika’ and ‘Be Quick To Listen & Slow to Speak’.
For bookings:
siya.mhlongo@gmail.com; siya@siyamhlongo.co.za
