Fridah Nengovhela (50) of Maraxwe Village, outside Thohoyandou, has been a shining example of what self-empowerment is all about.

Through the little money that she makes from selling vegetables, she has managed to take four of her children to the university. Her eldest one has since completed his university studies and is a qualified social worker.

After realizing that jobs are scarce, Fridah started selling vegetables in 1988. She plants the vegetables in her own garden at her home village.

“I had no other alternative but to stand up and do something to improve the standard of life of my family. I told myself that being unemployed does not necessarily mean that my children should not have a bright future. I have hands and a mind and I have to use them to earn a living because I am not educated.”

Fridah commutes to Thohoyandou on a daily basis to sell her vegetables. She has added potatoes, mealie cobs and tomatoes to her stock. “I have eight children and I’m the only one who can make them independent through education. As parents, we are duty bound to make sure that our children are educated, regardless of our poor financial backgrounds. The government cannot provide everyone of us with jobs and we need to do something to keep the fires burning.”

Fridah says she is surprised by some community members who relax and wait for miracles to happen. “Hard work is the only recipe for success. I will work hard to maintain my kids, as long as I live. I know, one day I will sit and rest after they have all completed their studies. I make sure that I save every cent because education is very expensive nowadays.”

The hardworking mother says she make about R200 a day. “This is a lot of money compared to those who are doing nothing at all. On bad days, I can at least take R70, and life goes on as usual.”

Fridah encourages other women to stand up and do something for themselves. “Time for sleeping is over and it rests solely on our shoulders to succeed.”