Succeeding Despite the Odds: A Tale of Resilience and Triumph

From the heart of the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho to the bustling streets of South Africa, my journey has been anything but ordinary. Raised in the rural village of Utapute, where education was a luxury and my grade nine certificate made me the most educated in my family, I harboured a dream—a dream to rewrite my story and inspire change.

The challenges were many, but my resolve was unwavering. With no one at home to help me through the complexities of mathematics and physical sciences, I leaned heavily on my teachers, whose guidance became the beacon that led me through the dark. Their support saw me through my schooling years, and I emerged with a matric certificate that bore the fruits of my labour—excellent results that defied the financial hurdles that so often tripped me up.

Nursing seemed like a logical first step towards my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. My passion for helping others led me to complete a diploma in general nursing and further specialise in mental health nursing. It was during this time, while working at a hospital, that my then-boyfriend, now my husband of over two decades, saw in me a potential I had yet to realise. He suggested I explore the field of optometry—a term foreign to me at the time.

A visit to an optometrist’s office was all it took for me to fall in love with the profession. With newfound determination, I applied for a degree in optometry at the University of the Free State. Balancing academia with marriage and motherhood, I not only succeeded in obtaining my degree but went on to achieve a master’s degree, with research that broke new ground in Lesotho’s eye care and earned recognition in prestigious journals.

Employment came swiftly post-graduation, granting me invaluable experience across various settings—from rural clinics to urban private practices. Yet, just as I was settling into this new chapter, life threw a curveball: I was fired, with a mere R350 in my bank account and a second child to nurture.

Undeterred by the daunting prospect of starting a business with next to nothing, my husband and I knocked on doors with a list of necessary equipment and a bank statement deep in the red. Rejection followed rejection until one supplier took a chance on me. With a leap of faith, we launched our first practice, armed with nothing but a negative balance and a dream.

The early days were tough, with only three patients in the first month. But as word spread and our reputation grew, so did our patient base. From those humble beginnings, we expanded to four practices, only to face the prospect of closing two during a business downturn in 2022.

It was then, amidst searching for a lifeline, that I discovered a webinar on business coaching. The insights provided by the coach were eye-opening, revealing gaps in my knowledge as a business owner. I took the plunge, opting for a trial run of coaching that has since transformed my approach to business.

With guidance, I shifted my focus from working in the business to working on the business, crafting strategies that allowed for growth and stability. My practices now run smoothly, affording me the freedom to engage in personal and family activities without the constant worry of day-to-day operations.

Reflecting on my path, I’m reminded of a young girl from a rural village who was once told she wasn’t “science material” by a professor she had sought out for guidance. That girl, who traveled hours with hope in her heart, only to face rejection, is now pursuing a PhD. I am that girl. My story is a testament to the power of faith, determination, continuous learning, and the courage to seek help.

To anyone reading this, let my story be a source of inspiration. Persist in your dreams, never cease to learn, and view every setback as a stepping stone to a grand comeback. The road may be fraught with challenges, but I assure you, it is worth every step. Whenever I faced rejection, I’d recall the empowering lyrics of a song by Lira: “The higher you build your barriers, the taller I become… Something inside so strong.”

Here I stand today, living proof that no matter the odds, with something inside so strong, you too can make it. Thank you for joining me on this journey of succeeding despite the odds.