A rare picture of Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini sharing a tiny room has emerged and is inspiring fans all across the country.

In the picture, Black Coffee is seen sharing a single bed with an unknown man, while Zakes sleeps on the floor.

The sheer magnitude of what this image represents has captured the hearts of many South Africans.

Not only does it speak to the black South African experience, but it is also a glaring reminder of the virtues of hard work and overcoming hardships.

We now know Black Coffee as an internationally renowned musician and the highest paid DJ on the African continent.

While Zakes Batwini, with his charisma, style and revolutionary sound, as forever changed the South African musical landscape.

But what we rarely see, is where our favourite artists were in their lives before they made it. Especially with people as private as Black Coffee and Zakes.

While both artists have not as yet commented on the picture, we can learn a few lessons from this.

The first is that we all have it in us to be bold enough to overcome extreme poverty; to free ourselves from the shackles of our background, our shortcomings and whatever obstacles we face.

This picture also reminds us that it’s usually the people who have experienced the most amount of hardships who have the most powerful stories to tell.

Let this picture also remind you that poverty does not exist in isolation.

We do not cry alone in our suffering, but together as people plagued by a system which has oppressed many a black person.

As you head into the weekend, take a moment to reflect on this image, and contrast this image to the images we now see of the two artists.

May you be inspired to pursue your dreams with fervor and passion.

And may you be reminded of the story of King Attar of Nishapur, who once assembled a group of wise men to come up with a way to make him happy when he wasn’t.

The men presented him with a ring and on it were inscribed the words: this too shall pass!