Misfits Celebrating Women's Month - A Person Who Respects Others, Mother of Humility

So here goes as promised, our first feature  of this women's month celebration is this amazing young woman. 

I am Nontobeko Ziyanda Zungu. My first name means a person who respects other, mother of humility and my second name means “in abundance” or “More of”. My names started the journey of shaping into the person I am. I am an introvert that has so much love and humility and will always go the extra mile for the ones I love and care for. To the world I am a Picasso painting, only a few get to see the beauty of the painting for what it is. I am a believer in God. I simply am because of Him everyday of my life. 

The last place I would ever go? 

I don’t have a place like that yet. 

What am I completely over and done with?

I no longer care for what people think of me. I don’t have the ‘Abantu bazothini Syndrome’ because this sets you back and you end up not doing half the things you wanted to do.

What lesson lesson has 2020, lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic has taught you about the following: Yourself, Friends, Family and life? 

2020 taught me about loss and that recovering from loss is hard when you don’t give yourself time to grieve and cry to clear out your soul so that you are able to live with it. The Lockdown SAVED me otherwise depression was going to be my new home. What I learnt about my circle of friends is that they are a blessing and they are blessed. I’m not saying they have it easy, heck no but they know who to lean on to bounce back. God is their centre. With my family 2020 has taught me that we laugh all the time even in sadness and that’s what keeps us going. In life 2020 and the pandemic has taught me that you must live and be grateful for what you have, appreciate the ones that love you and keep it moving. Take time for yourself as you cannot pour from an empty cup. You are important it doesn’t make you selfish but selfless as you will be able to give more and be there more for others. 

If I could talk to my 16 year old self what would I say to her about being in my 30s/20s. What did I expect vs the reality?

Sweetheart, do not expect the world to shift for you. I expected to be this great person psychologist and that I would be great. I expected that my life would be better since I have been through the most already but no honey, life will humble you still because clearly you did not learn your lessons before with not having a home. Reality is that you must shift the world to suit you and that you should always focus and don’t let anyone distract from what you want to achieve. Lastly don’t forget God in whatever you decide to do. Kodwa all in all what you will go through will shape you into this awesome being that you are right now and you will meet your circle of friends. You will learn so much about yourself and you will go insane for a period of time. Just know that you will be okay though so 16 year old me brace yourself for what’s to come. Learn how to run your finances and to make more because that will be your biggest down fall. 

To all women: it is okay not to follow societal rules on who you are suppose to be if they do not sync with who you really are. This pandemic hit us hard and my advice to you would be to take care of your mental health by talking to a therapist or take time out and meditate in the word of God. Switch off your phone for 2 hours and have you time. Honestly I don’t know what makes your heart happy but do that so you can be sane for yourself and others.