Widow lauded for rising above adversity
She has written two books and started a non-profit organisation.
AN UMGABABA widow, Thobile Msomi who was left with nothing after the death of her husband has since risen above her circumstances, written two books and started a non-profit organisation (NPO).
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as two weeks ago, Thobile received two awards at the Inheritors Foundation Church of Christ annual community achievement awards ceremony in Pietermaritzburg.
She received trophies and certificates for her book, ‘Qina Mfelokazi’ – meaning a woman with courage and for establishing the NGO, South African Association of Widows and Single Ladies (SAAWSL)
“I feel humbled. I praise God who made it all possible,” she said.
The death of her husband, Scelo in 2005 brought about a drastic change in her life. “I was left with nothing. I was not working and had three children. I only survived with help from my family. When you are in dire straits, you have to let go of pride.”
Thobile has since self-published two volumes of the book. The first in 2012 with a print run of 300 copies and the second volume in July with 100 copies. “The books give widows the courage to stand up when they are at their most vulnerable.”
As she refused to be put down by her circumstances, she took on a job as a cleaner at first and then a packer. As she had some qualifications behind her, she secured a job as a teacher at Samuel Mkhize High School and is currently working towards completing a professional diploma in education.
After her first book was published, Thobile became a born-again Christian. “I wanted to take care of others and I am doing this through SAAWSL. I want to help widows, single women with children, divorced and unmarried women. I want to empower them spiritually and economically.”
Thobile intends to grow the organisation, nationally and internationally.
Not only content to help adults, she has also reached out to the youngsters. “Girls in my school have low self-esteem as many of them are unable to afford sanitary pads. Many of them do not attend school for several days every month.”
About 150 girls from the school and surrounding community of Ingolela benefit from a sanitary pad collection project started by Thobile. “Some of these girls are so desperate they use newspapers or socks. Sanitary pads are sold at the local shops but the prices are inflated, a pack of 10 costs about R37.”
She thanked Nomali Msomi of Umbogintwini Industrial Complex for a generous donation towards the project. “All we need is a pack per girl, every month. I want the girls to attend school, to get educated.” She appeals to local schools to start a collection for sanitary pads.
Plans are also in the pipeline to take a future men-boys and future women-girls programmes to schools. For more details about Thobile’s book or her organisation, contact her on 072-846-0667 or email tbmsomi.saawisla@gmail.com or www.thobile.co.za
