In the winter of 2017, shortly after I had taken a break from practicing as a full-time journalist, I fell “pregnant”.
This was no ordinary pregnancy. In a sense it required speedy and same-time delivery. And after approximately 18 000 hours, I finally gave birth to my new baby and named her Humble Beginnings.
Humble Beginnings is a one of a kind biography about the life and times of an unsung struggle icon and a mega business woman, Dr Nora Fakude-Nkuna, who literally turned rags into riches.
Her story inspired me to turn a 300-word newspaper article into a book because I thought her story would inspire many others, especially those coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I have known Fakude-Nkuna for over 10 years and throughout the years, I have realised we shared so many similarities and hence my voice can be heard in this biography.
So, in short, this is a two-in-one biography. It is purposely crafted in plain and simple English for everyone to comprehend.
What makes this book and her story interesting is the fact that it is centred during the apartheid era when black people, especially women, were restricted and had no opportunities to succeed in life or in business. During those days, there were no tenders, stokvels and women empowerment, meaning women’s place was in the kitchen and changing nappies, but Fakude-Nkuna chose differently.
She grew up in total poverty and had to share a room with rats, had to walk barefooted about 15km to attend school daily. After school she had to sell fruit and vegetables to help her unemployed mother and epileptic father.
When she was older, her husband divorced her and she had to raise four children on her own. In the 1980s, she took up arms and decided to fight for liberation. For this she was detained, tortured, abused and her business centre burnt to ashes by the apartheid security forces.
But she rose from the ashes and went on to build her own shopping mall at the tune of R200-million and now owns a passenger bus company that makes an annual turn-over of about R1.1-billion.
Her fame in political circles and in life has attracted many followers, but sadly this has also attracted enemies.
I hope and pray that many people, especially young women, will get a copy her actions and get to read this biography of a struggle icon, motherly and humble soul and be inspired by it.
The book is now available at selected book outlets nationwide and can be purchased by calling 071 916 3592.
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