By Sitha Maliwa
When you see him surrounded by large crowds and fans who admire him, don’t be misled by the warmth he effortlessly shares with those celebrating his presence. Whether on the streets, at malls, in restaurants, on sports fields, or through social media, there is an unspoken depth to his character. Deep down, the Eastern Cape businessman is navigating through childhood scars that continue to haunt him. However, instead of dwelling on past grievances, he has chosen to channel his energy toward healing others.
You might think that he is merely a colourful Kaizer Chiefs supporter, often posting videos of himself either celebrating or critiquing his beloved club from Soweto. However, there is much more to him than his charismatic and animated exterior. Mlindelwa Sipho Tyekana, popularly known as “Man B,” embodies the quintessential rags-to-riches story, one that resonates with many. He is admired and beloved as a social media influencer, a security and construction mogul, a record label owner, and a philanthropist. Yet, despite his success, he can deeply relate to the heart-wrenching conditions faced by those he strives to assist.
“I don’t even know my biological father; actually, I’ve never met him,” says Man B, as he shares his story with a soft smile that has become his trademark. He continues, “I’ve never really taken the time to look for my real father and didn’t inquire much about him other than the little I know. But the man who raised me, my stepfather, gave me all the love a father could provide a son. He was a mineworker in Gauteng, and we were raised on the little he earned from those mines.”
Man B’s struggles began when a mine where his stepfather worked shut down in the 1990s, leaving the family without an income and thrusting them into adversity. “I was in Standard Seven (Grade 9) at the time, and things were difficult at home. I decided to buy a camera and start making money by taking pictures at events. I did that until I passed the matric. When I eventually moved to East London in the early 2000s, there wasn’t much work for photographers because cellphones began to dominate the market,” he reminisces.
This evolution in technology impacted Man B’s livelihood significantly. After moving to the more affluent East London from his rural hometown of Ngqeleni in the former Transkei, he found himself without a clear path forward. With his parents reaching old age and younger siblings requiring financial support for their education and food, he realized he had to devise a plan to address his family’s mounting challenges.
“I had to quit school and look for a job in the mines after being misled by a scammer who asked me for money in exchange for a job that never materialized. I had to borrow that money from relatives with a promise to repay,” he explains.
After dropping out of school in Grade 12, Man B sought divine intervention, praying for a specific outcome. “I told God to ensure that those who continued with their education wouldn’t outdo me. I had to share my situation with Him because I didn’t want to be perceived as a lazy loser who quit,” he recalls. Quitting school was a crushing blow, and as he attempted to reshape his dreams of supporting his family, he found himself returning to East London, determined to find a better path.
With the nightlife scene thriving in East London during the early 2000s, Man B seized the opportunity to change his fortunes. He started as a bouncer, and in 2009, he established his own company specialising in event security. “That’s when things began to look up,” he says. By 2014, he had expanded his business to include bodyguard, crowd control, and VIP protection services, eventually renaming his company Man B Tyekana Protection Services. He has also ventured into construction, growing his brand and influence.
Today, his protection services business operates across the country, employing over 600 personnel. He takes immense pride in providing jobs that help families put food on their tables. “Making a difference for others is what I value most. No one has been retrenched from any of my companies in recent years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. I worked hard to keep everyone employed by cutting unnecessary costs, believing that employed individuals contribute to a healthy economy,” emphasizes Man B.
Recently, he launched the Man B Tyekana Foundation, aimed at aiding those in need. One of his most noteworthy initiatives was responding to a call from his former school in Ngqeleni, where he constructed new toilets after the community reported poor hygiene and inadequate plumbing facilities. He has also distributed toiletries to schools across the province, with the goal of encouraging young boys to stay in school. “Boys are often overlooked in terms of attention and care, and I feel it’s important to address that,” he expresses.
Through his work and philanthropic efforts, Man B continues to embody resilience and hope, proving that even the most difficult beginnings can lead to a brighter future, not just for himself but for many others as well. -– @NewsSA_Online