Misfits Celebrating Women's Month: Inkosazana yamaNguni, Child of the African Soil

Here is our second lady of the week, 😍. Hope you enjoy her story. 

I am Nontobeko Gcabashe inkosazana yamaNguni, Child of the African Soil. I am an ambivert. I project energy I receive. A lover of good food and traveling. I give credit to my existence to Umvelinqangi and my ancestors.

Where is the last place you would ever go?
Ummhhh, I don’t know hey…

What are you completely over and done with?
Protecting other peoples feeling at the expense of my wellbeing and mental health.

What lessons has 2020, lock down and COVID-19 pandemic taught you about:
Yourself:
I am so strong. I have the will power to do anything that I set my mind to do.

Friends:
Actions speaker louder than words.
Tough times show you your real friends.
My squad is small but WOW – they are amazing. They have their own share of challenges but through it all they are graceful, loving (even those who act tough😊) and empowering. During my tough times, my friends gently pulled my chin up, fixed your crown, straightened shoulders and held my hand. My friends became family to me…

Life:
You must be patient.
Life isn’t always fair (who said it would be?) and things do not always work out they you planned that they would. And that is okay – you must just adjust and keep it moving.

Family:
We are not perfect, but we are united, we love and support each other. I am blessed, grateful and proud to call them my family.

Overall, 2020, the lockdown and COVID-19 taught me patience and connected me to my dreams and aspirations that I had put on hold

If you could talk to your 16-year self what would you say about being in your 30s/20s. What did you expect VS reality?
Honey do not take life too seriously. Have fun a little. Go out, play with other kids and network.
It is important to listen and respect you parents (adults). At 16 I was that “good girl” (stayed at home and did what I was told – and hardly ever questioned anything even when I should have). But this was the exterior, internally it was something else. In my heart and head, I was such a rebel. I did not voice my thoughts and opinion. To a 16-year, never silence your inner thoughts and opinions. Find ways to respectfully speak your mind. I feel this is important because if mind, body and spirit are one then actions, intentions and purpose align. Beyond that it builds your confidence.
In your twenties: this is the time to find yourself, learn more about your strengths and weaknesses (your skills and talent). Do not settle for the first plate that you are served with. Always dig deep. Be intentional about your goals and the people you allow in you space. Be bold enough to challenge the status quo – forge a new path.
When Umvelinqangi made you, he assigned you a Guardian Angel to look over you. That Guardian Angel is that inner voice that always seems to warn when you something is not right or that overwhelming gut feeling you get when you are about to take a huge decision. Listen to your Guardian Angel more (it knows better 😊).
Always know that things may not go as planned and that is okay, you do not stop or give up but adjust and keep it moving.
In your thirties: you should be able to define who you are, what you are about and where you are going. Well for me I’ve just entered the dirty thirty decade… So, as I embrace my thirties I am armed with confidence, alignment with my Guardian Angel and an open heart.

If you could send a global message to all South African women, what would you say to them? About the times we live in and how to survive. Either emotionally, mentally or physically.
To all South African women out there… Gosh, you are Queens --- Royalties --- And so powerful, yet we sell ourselves so short. We give up our power too soon and so easily. Most women are raised in a way that is so linear – be a good girl >> don’t talk too much >> speak when spoken to >> finish school/university >> Get a job >> Get married before thirty and have children. Then you are someone (more like “someone’s wife”) --- Then You live “Happily Ever After” the end!!!

I say BULLSH*T!!! I say definitely get all the education and opportunities that you can get and explore life. Be true to who you are. Be bold, assertive and unapologetic in your becoming… 

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