Many Africans think depression is a Western disease, says Mbuso Khoza

Eclectic musician and actor Mbuso Khoza from television series Umkhokha has opened up about his depression which led him to considering suicide.

The 56-year-old actor from Eshowe in northern KwaZulu-Natal was speaking at the Uhuru international festival at Wushini in Inanda, near Durban.

Khoza said his struggles with depression started more than 30 years ago.

“It felt like a calling at first, but soon I noticed I was becoming disinterested in everything, including living and interacting with others. My relationships never lasted because I was very angry, then all of a sudden I was overthinking everything.”

“I never knew my father. My mother worked outside the home to support the family, and I could say that there was no family structure because I was raised by abusive relatives, among other challenges that later served as triggers for me,” Khoza said.

He said growing up was difficult as he was a child who was always left alone and had no sense of self-belief or being loved.

“I would only find comfort when my mother was back to feel that warmth for a while. I understand my illness and what it does to me personally. I deal with my emotions when I'm overwhelmed and have become more discerning about it. I'm handling it in my phase so as not to injure those who are dear to me further,” Khoza said.

“I'm taking things one step at a time, but it's not easy. The majority of Africans are unaware of depression. They think it's a Western disease that doesn't affect them. The disheartening aspect is that patients find it challenging to clarify this to others. This exacerbates the situation,” he said.

“I felt the pain and wanted to rid myself of it, so I considered killing myself multiple times. I recall using a rope to go to the bushes close to Inanda dam in 2019. I was afraid and decided not to hang myself from the tree.

“I realised then that my illness was more serious than I had previously believed. I don't recall the last time I considered ending my life. That's advancement. It feels good to know that I'm beating this terrible sickness. I'm hoping to be free of it soon,” he said.

The actor said by surrounding himself with positive people and immersing himself in art, he has discovered a method of self-counselling that has benefited him.

Khoza has participated in a variety of artistic endeavours, such as writing amahubo (Psalms ceremonial music) for the television show Shaka iLembe.

He said he was preparing to release his new album, Ifa Lomkhono, which will go on national tour in July. The album features collaborations with jazz musicians and Ndumiso Mtshali.

The director of operations at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Cassey Chambers, said the most common misconception regarding mental illness is that it indicates a lack of strength or that the sufferer is less or more emotional.

“In reality, however, having a mental illness is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is something for which one would wake up in the morning and ask for help. Furthermore, many people deal with various pressures and issues, to which we respond differently.

“A person may exhibit symptoms of mental health issues such as severe changes in eating and sleeping patterns, persistently low mood, withdrawal from friends and family, and cessation of activities they enjoy. Then it begins to affect their day-to-day functioning.”

If these symptoms continue for two to four weeks without improving, Chambers says, these could be early indications of mental health problems.

24-HOUR TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY HELPLINES

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800-567-567
• Department of social development Substance Abuse Helpline: 0800-12-13-14 or SMS 32312.