On June 30, 2015, I interviewed Malebo on my blog which at the time was a series called “Path to Greatness.” I interviewed Africans who inspire and walk their path to greatness, unapologetically. It has since morphed into the nonprofit we have today – Our Paths to Greatness. It’s been 6 years (here’s the interview) and Malebo has gone on to accomplish so much since then. It’s my pleasure to interview Malebo again. Though we’ve not physically met, we connected on many levels. So it brings me so much joy to talk with her again.
Nikę: It’s so good to reconnect Malebo. I have watched as you continue to grow and reinvent yourself. Looking back at our conversation 6 years ago, quite a few of your goals you have gone on to accomplish – for one, you’re now a published author – congratulations! Can you tell us more about it? Where to purchase?
Malebo: Thank you so much for reaching out. It has been a pleasure watching you too and you continue to inspire me and trail blaze paths for many of us. It was so important for us to see ourselves in authors when you started publishing. It made it possible for us, and here I am today, a whole published author. I am grateful. In all honesty, although I have always loved the written word, I have never seen myself as an author but I guess you can’t escape certain things. I have always loved to explain complex issues in an accessible way. People would always engage with my content and make a note of how relatable my writing was. And it’s exactly this content that caught my publisher’s eye. In 2016, I was approached by the ever-illustrious publisher, Thabiso Mahlape from Blackbird Books to write a book, an immense honour, to have your debut commissioned. The book responds to Toni Morrisson’s words that if there is a book you want to read but it hasn’t been written yet then you must write it. I wanted to have an accessible feminist conversation with Black women using the tools of autoethnography and self-portraiture. The book was published in 2017 and I am so blessed that it continues to garner interest. I am also grateful to all the book clubs. So many book clubs run by Black women championed Miss Behave, and as a result, it has a life of its own.
Please get the book directly from my publisher’s website although it’s available from most leading stores, I prefer you buy it directly from my publisher.
Nikę: Are you writing another one and are you open to telling us more about it?
Malebo: I am currently busy with my doctoral studies and a couple of tech projects and my mental health has taken a strain. I am the kind of artist who needs the light to fuel my creativity and depression often sends me to a dark place. (I am not saying I haven’t written another one, or two, though). I have also taken to photography and there is some great work coming out of that. I can’t wait for you to share in it.
Nikę: We often hear of goals being accomplished but I think it’s also important to reevaluate our goals to make sure they continue to align with who we are becoming. Tell me, are there any goals you have had to cross off your list and why?
Malebo: Yes, two big ones. Marriage and professorship. Marriage is an institution that I no longer subscribe to. I will only marry if land or a huge chunk of money is involved, ha ha ha! Professorship requires tons of journal publications, I prefer writing books and using the academy as a framework to write accessible work within the community.
Nikę: What struck me when I first “met” you was how young you were and having done so much in your life. You inspired me. As I have experienced over the years myself, you can’t keep going without stopping to refuel. Self-care has become a focal point, especially for women. We recognize now that we need to rest and take care of ourselves as much as we work. What was that aha moment for you?
Malebo: Thank you, you inspire me too. This is a topic that rests firmly in my heart. It was in 2015 when the aha moment landed. I was lying prostrate on the floor, depleted. I did not want to be called strong. I did not want to live up to Black excellence. I did not want to perform greatness. I wanted rest. Rest that is free from guilt. Audre Lorde’s words will always be a pillar that I build my self-care belief upon. Audre wrote that self-care is not an indulgence but a revolutionary act. When bodies that are meant to suffer and not experience any joy fight for rest it is a revolution. I still struggle but I am continuously unlearning many of the things that are conditioned to keep me as a rock without affording me rest and self-care. Anyway, we know you can’t show up as an empty cup. It’s important to take regular stops and refuel.
Here’s a video from 2016 that Malebo sent during the launch of Our Paths to Greatness. What she said then still rings true today.
Nikę: You are such an insightful person. I will pull out some quotes from our last conversation that I think are important reminders.
“When you are not aligned, you are most likely not going to be able to handle the challenges thrown at you.”
“We all have a story to tell and life has somewhere served us a portion we believe is unfair. Some things happened not by choice but because of the families, communities, and continent, we were born into. The past, therefore, does not have to determine your destiny.”
“We live in societies that if we are not true to ourselves, someone else will determine the truth for you and that sucks! How sad it must be to wake up every day knowing that you are not at peace with who you are. You become an imposter in your own life.”
Nikę: What inspires you still? What’s changed? How do you stay grounded?
Malebo: Wow, I really was an optimistic person. I think some of the words came from the Black excellence framework, that at whatever cost, you always have to be brilliant and strong. But now I am a little kinder to myself and don’t always expect perfection. As long as I am, that is sufficient. Nature keeps me grounded. I believe that we humans are not the centre – the Creator has gifted us with nature as a partner – the sooner we realise that, the better.
Nikę: Malebo, I can’t wait for us to catch up again, hopefully not another six years. I know so much more is in store for you. I hope to one day visit South Africa and finally meet in person.
Malebo: Thank you for always believing in me. You have always been a beacon of hope for us. Keep doing what you are doing. Thank you for allowing me the space to speak my truth. I am excited about my future projects and can’t wait to share them with the world.
Nikę: How can readers connect with you on social media?
Malebo: Instagram @malebosephodi and @maleboslens, but not sure for how long with Zuckerberg and this new Meta mess (ha ha ha ha!).
Nike Campbell is the Founder of Our Paths to Greatness. She is an author and screenwriter . She writes about immigrant experiences and African history that are in danger of being misrepresented or lost.