It has been a confusing year for everyone.
The young, old, employed, unemployed and even the most carefree have been affected by the year.
Uzalo actress Dawn Thandeka King (43) is no different.
She's had her fair share of struggles in the midst of a pandemic that's forced the world into a new normal.
“We were so optimistic about 2020, I mean phrases such as 20plenty were coined,” she says.
Reflecting on the year that was, she tells DRUM that being a spiritual healer, a journey that started back in 2009 for her, gave her the resilience to sit in her corner and eventually come out sane when there was a bit of normalcy during the pandemic.
Read more | Dawn King on being a traditional healer
When lockdown started in March, she went into spiritual mode. Her well-being, mentally wellness and emotional stability had to be prioritised especially as someone who had gone through anxiety and depression before.
“As a mother and an individual, it was hard, but I thank God I am spiritually aligned,” she says.
"During this time, on my social media platforms I started Conversations with Dawn Thandeka King where mental health, spirituality, African religion and generally the awakening African people is thoroughly discussed.
“People don’t know a lot about anxiety and panic attacks, I am outspoken on these issues because I have personally gone through them. It feels great to be able to contribute to society through my platform,” Dawn says.
Apart from the 2020 struggle, Dawn is winning when it comes to matters of the heart. As witnessed on her social media, her and boyfriend, Mlungisi Duncan Ndebele are all loved up.
“I am in love again. I never thought it would be possible. I didn’t want it anymore I actually didn’t trust,” she says.
She went through a divorce when she was 40 after being married for over 10 years. After plunging into a deep depression after that, love was not even on her mind.
Read more | Baby Cele finds love again
“When your marriage falls apart you automatically feel like you have failed. You pray to God, cry, phahla and ask why? But other things are not in your control. There are seasons that need to pass. What gives me joy is the wisdom that I have now, the wisdom in knowing that nothing is in my control. There is a time to pray and a time to wait. Sometimes you will miss the answers because you are busy praying and not waiting. I am more patient with life and myself. I understand that whatever is happening, my ancestors and God are with me. The more you let go, the more things come together for you,” Dawn adds.
She's open because she doesn't worry about what people think, not at her age.
“When you are in your 40s, you really don’t care, that's why they say life begins at 40. I don’t have the abantu bazothini syndrome. The experiences that I have gone through have shaped me today.
“I did not see myself divorced at 40 but at the end of the day, life happens. When they see us on TV, we are humans who happen to have a talent that is showcased on TV. I celebrate and live each day like it is my last. Sometimes we make plans and there is no guarantee for tomorrow. You can’t keep looking back in life, you need to look forward and really try to live,” she says.
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“I am content with me and where I am right now. I feel like I have done the work, put in the work as a human bein,” she adds.
She's ready for 2021 in fact. She's hoping to grow her talk show given the interest people have shown in the topics discussed over the past few months.
