Brenda Jacobs-Jussub, a 47-year-old mother of six and grandmother of three, has lived a life marked by hardship, but through perseverance, she worked towards personal growth.
Born and raised in Reiger Park as the youngest of seven children, her birth was considered nothing short of a miracle. Her mother discovered she was pregnant during a routine check-up just a month after undergoing sterilisation at the age of 45.
The Actonville resident said that at the age of 14, she became a rape victim.
Brenda fell pregnant in her matric year with her first daughter, who is now 28.
Determined not to let the experience derail her future, she completed her studies in 1996 and enrolled at the Boksburg Vocational
College, where she studied N4 marketing management for a year. The following year, Brenda worked at a casino, where she met the father of her five younger children.
She said her marriage had its challenges, including emotional abuse and the devastating effects of her husband’s gambling addiction, which cost them all their belongings.
“He had anger issues towards me, but loved his children so much,” she said.
With time and persistent prayer, Brenda said his behaviour improved, and they eventually married, moving to Actonville with their children.
Tragedy struck in 2019 when her husband’s body was found near the Actonville hostel.
“From there, things took a turn. I struggled as a single mother to make ends meet. My two daughters and I had to work for a marketing company doing door-to-door campaigns, and cleaned homes while my sons washed cars.”
She said she also sold perfumes, slimming juices, hair products and make-up to supplement the family’s income.
Refusing to let her circumstances define her, Brenda immersed herself in community work, volunteering for several local NPOs.
In 2021, she ran as a candidate councillor for the Patriotic Alliance in her ward. She serves as a ward committee member, heading health and social development, vice-chairperson of the Actonville Senior Citizens’ Club, and acting chairperson of her political party’s branch in the ward.
Her life began to stabilise about four years ago when she became a Gauteng Traffic Warden.
To rebuild her confidence, Brenda entered the Miss Actonville pageant in 2022 and won. She went on to secure second runner-up in the Mrs Royal World International competition. This year, she entered Miss Diva in Alberton, winning the miss personality title and placing as first princess.
“I decided to enter the competition because it resonated with me. It was aimed at mothers, women who have faced hardships, to showcase their beauty, inspiration and confidence,” she explained.
Brenda describes herself as a hard worker, a people’s person and someone who refuses to give up. Her Women’s Month message is:
“Never stop dreaming, you are never too old. Continue praying and persevering.”
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