FORTUNATE Organisation’s third annual Mental Health & Wellness Seminar – held on 23 October at Premier Hotel The Richards in partnership with the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) – brought together government, leaders, healthcare professionals, youth voices and community stakeholders to advance meaningful conversations on mental health and wellbeing.
The seminar was accredited for five CPD points, including ethics by CMSA.

Themed Beyond the Mind: Building Healthier People, Stronger Organisations and More Resilient Communities, the seminar was officially opened by honourable speaker Cllr Siphesihle Mkhwanazi of King Cetshwayo District Municipality. She set the tone for a day focused on shared responsibility and the importance of wellbeing.

In her welcoming address, Fortunate Organisation founder and Executive Director Nonhle Ngubane called for a shift from mental health awareness to measurable action. She emphasised the need for leadership accountability, institutional investment and sustainable partnerships. She further challenged organisations to place human wellbeing at the centre of leadership and organisational performance, reinforcing that people remain the foundation of sustainable success.

Healthcare professionals share

The keynote address was delivered by Nombuso Nsele, Executive Manager: Corporate Services at RBIDZ, highlighting the connection between leadership, economic development and human wellbeing.

Dr Siphesihle Mchunu, a clinical psychologist, explored Beyond the Diagnosis: Depathologising Mental Health, encouraging participants to see people beyond clinical labels. Hospital Manager Natalie Kubeka addressed the relationship between leadership, personal wellbeing and organisational performance.

Mukondeleli Talelani Ndaba, registered dietitian, examined diabetes, nutrition and the pressures of maintaining healthy lifestyles, while the Your Body Is at Work Too session highlighted the importance of physical wellbeing and supportive working environments.
Gugu Mpanza addressed mental health in the workplace, while the UnfilTed Dialogue sessions created space for deeper conversations.

The Human Beyond the Title explored the human experiences behind leadership positions, while the youth session, The Generation That Never Switches Off, highlighted challenges including unemployment, economic vulnerability, unhealthy relationships, workplace power imbalances and social pressures.

The final panel, Who Owns the Risk? The Hidden Cost of Getting Business Right, featuring Dylan Ramsay of Life Health Solutions and Dumisani Mafanele of Transnet Port Terminals, challenged organisations to recognise the hidden human costs of business performance, including burnout, decision fatigue, financial stress and workplace pressures.
The discussion reinforced that business success must never come at the expense of human wellbeing.

Seminar support

The seminar was supported by a broad range of stakeholders, including Life Empangeni Private Hospital, Akeso/ Netcare Hospital Richards Bay, BMW Richards Bay, Akeso Healthcare, Standard Bank, the University of Zululand, Jesus Is King Collection, Rowell Holdings and Zenkosi Communications. Their participation demonstrated the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing mental health awareness and community impact.

Through expert-led discussions and engagement, the seminar aims to reduce mental health stigma by 12%, reflecting progress towards creating more informed and supportive environments where people feel encouraged to speak openly and seek help.
Following the seminar, Fortunate Organisation is proposing to extend mental health education, youth empowerment, workplace wellness and community dialogues across KZN. The organisation seeks to explore collaboration with the public- and private-sector partners, with particular attention to rural and under-resourced communities.

The seminar reaffirmed Fortunate Organisation’s belief that mental health is a shared responsibility requiring action from leaders, employers, government, institutions and communities.

Contact

For more info about The Fortunate Organisation, visit www.fortunateorganisation.co.za or email info@fortunateorganisation.co.za