When was the last time you tried something new?

I used to have an afro and from there had dreadlocks. I was in touch with my artistic side, I used to write and perform poetry. My definition of an African woman was her natural hair, it must either be an afro or dreadlocks. I looked up to South African artists like Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana and Lebo Mashile. These women were an inspiration to my artistic life, even the way I dressed was inspired by them. I didn't dress in the latest fashion, Ftv was not fashionable for me.

I loved hip hop and soul, my favourite artist is and was Erykah Badu. I also listened to The Roots,  Arrested Development, Common and Dead Prez. I lived in a world that looked down on weaves, manicures and pedicures. Relaxed her was the last thing I would think of doing to my hair.

I had a friend, who was also my housemate, Mandla and suggested I cut my dreadlocks. I took as an insult and told him where to get off. One saturday evening, Mandla was on my case again with cutting my dreadlocks. After a few glasses of wine, I took the scissors and cut my dear dreadlocks. After that we burnt them and I prayed for my new lease on life. I got rid of all the clothes I used to wear. I felt the dreadlocks had carried my past, my mistakes, my weaknesses, my failures and hindered on my growth.

I wanted something I had never experienced before, I wanted to go back to university to educate myself. My life changed slowly, I got a bursary to study Public Relations. My friends were sifted to the new look I now have. Now I get my hair did, my nails did, I wear heels and love fashion. I tried something new and I loved it!

If I were a boss?

Some people don't know the different between being a boss and being bossy. For me, being a boss means you are responsible to check if your team members have done the tasks you have allocated to them. You teach members that don't know and guide those that are unsure of their tasks.

Being a boss is a challenging task as you have to manage people and at the same time meet organisational objectives. If I were the boss, my consultancy would start at 09h45. The 15 minutes before 10h00 would give employees time to do their greetings and get their coffee. As a mother, it is such a hassle to work up your children so early in the morning because you have to be at work by 08h00. With the business hours starting late, it would allow mothers to make cereal or breakfast for their children and make their lunch boxes. It would also give them time to drop-off the children to school. The rule is that no-one is allowed to be late because business starts at 10h00.

I think it is important for an employer to take care of his/her employees, as they are the biggest asset. I would have a creche and aftercare on the premises. The most stressful thing for mothers is worrying about the safety of their children. If mothers know where the children are, that means less stress for them. I would also have a gym for my employees, I would encourage healthy eating. There are few organisations that accomodate mothers especially single-mothers, if these important people are taken good care of this will create a better work environment.

Two people come out of a building and into a story.

Six years ago, I came out of Frere Maternity Hospital holding a baby in my arms whom I named Zenande. I did not know anything about motherhood as she was my first child. I did not know her and she did not know me. When I arrived home with her, there were smiles on everyone's faces welcoming this infant to our lives. I named her Zenande so that she can bring prosperity to the family and that our family would grow from that day.

It certainly has grown, she is a young girl who has her own personality and has become part of the Ndhlovu family. She has characteristics which we see in every single one of us in our family. Zenande loves singing, dancing and loves expressing herself. This has been passed down from her grandmother then to me and now to her. Although my mother is soft-spoken, she was apparently a party animal when she was still young. Zenande chooses what she wants to dress for the day and is a fashionista at six. She loves high heels, make-up and knows the latest fashion.

Her second name is Libongolethu which means our pride. She is my pride and joy. The way she laughs and the ways she looks into my eyes, to her I'm her world. I guess I would be because I brought her to this world. Zeni as we call her at home, lifts everyone's spirits at home performing Michael Jackson's moon dance or singing Alicia Keys songs using her guitar. She has such a bubbly personality and has now become her own person starting her own story.

Do you celebrate the things you do have?

On my 21st birthday, I was on my way back from Jo'burg to East London by bus. My phone was off because the battery was flat. I had left the charger at my brother's place in Mpumalanga. I had spent three weeks in Jo'burg and a few days in Mpumalanga. I was not at the least bothered that my friends were trying to get hold of me on my special day. My mother knew where I was so nothing else mattered.

Now that I'm older, I've lost a few friends who never made it past 25 years of age. I realise how I have taken my life for granted and thinking that I'm invincible. I have not taken the time to appreciate my achievements. Everyone falls short in this regard because it's easier to want something you don't have than to appreciate what you have.

I'm certainly not celebrating the things I have, I probably appreciate them for five minutes out of 24 hours. I spend more time complaining about what I don't have and wanting more. Recently I graduated, but I didn't celebrate the fact that I have passed all my subjects in record time. There are so many students who fell by the way side from when I started studying. It hit me the other day that I am now living someone else's dream.

Designer PR

Public Relations people are designers. They design and set trends that should be followed. They influence the way people perceive organisations and brands. PR designers make their audience feel comfortable buying inexpensive clothes at PEP, Ackermans even though some of their clothing is wear and tear. On the other hand, some feel comfortable buy very expensive brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton even though on the side of the road, an imitation is sold that looks exactly like the real makoya.

PR people are designers and create images that eventually will become a reality. These people are very futuristic and everything is about building long-term relationships. Others merely view us as dreamers as everything is not about here and now.

What people don't understand and realise is that designers are needed in this world. They have a vision and make things happen. In an organisation, these are the people who foresee a crisis before it occurs. Crisis prevention is better than crisis management.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I grew up I wanted to become a teacher. Both my parents are teachers, but that's not why I wanted to become a teacher. I spent my primary school years up to grade 4 at a township school, Inkqubela Lower Primary School. At the time I was still a learner corporal punishment was still allowed at schools. Then, we didn't know anything about children having rights or calling the helpline and claiming to be abused. So I wanted to be a teacher so that I could give my learners a hiding. I assumed that's what teachers did, ask you questions you don't know answers to and give you a hiding for not knowing the answer.

When I went to the Model C schools, I wanted to become a lawyer. I was greatly influenced by television, especially Ally McBeal. I thought it was such a cool thing to walk into a courtroom wearing a short suite and apologizing to the judge for being late. I later learnt that's not what lawyers do, so my dreams changed.

By the time I was in grade 10, BComm Accounting was the new buzz word amongst black people in my school. Then I wanted to become a stockbroker specifically at the London Stock Exchange. Don't ask me why in London, I really don't know. My dreams were shattered at University of Port Elizabeth when I attempted to study BCom Rationum majoring in Economics and Business Management. I couldn't balance my varsity work with my very busy social life.

This has led me to believe Public Relations is a calling. I didn't realise all these years that my achievements were in cultural activities. I was in the Debating Society, did public speaking, monologues at the Grahamstown Eisteddfod and participated in house plays. I received a colours blazer by the time I matriculated. Now that I'm grown up, I'm doing Public Relations.

Who do you love and what are you doing about it?

Many people think they know me because they see me in lectures or walking on campus. Some ask silly questions of how do I 'survive' leaving my children behind in East London and pursuing a career. People who ask me these silly questions clearly don't know me. They don't know why I am here and studying my BTech.

I am studying because I want to better my life. My definition of success is getting an education and making a mark in the Communications industry. Success to me is being able to provide my children with the same or better opportunities than I had. I want to be their living proof that whatever you put your mind into, you can do no matter what your situation is. Some people find having children crippling, but I chose to see it as an inspiration.

In life you need someone to believe in your dream to help you to achieve it and it is that believe that pushes you to succeed. When my children look at me they see the world and when I look at them, I see inspiration. If anyone wants to know how I survive not seeing my children, it is because I am doing this for love.

I am

My history comes from the rich heritage of the Jabavu's in Middlesdrift, Eastern Cape. My maternal great, great grandfather John Tengo Jabavu was the founder of a Xhosa Newspaper, Imvo Zabantsundu which means black opinion. He was involved in politics and in uplifting of black people through education. He also believed that women deserved an equal right as men to get an education, which was an odd belief in his time.

He was also partly responsibility for getting sponsors from the British in order to establish the University of Fort Hare, which was then called the South African Native College. Later his son who also studied at the university, D.D.T. Jabavu was the first black Professor.

Reading the book written by Noni Jabavu, The Ochre People, has also had an impact in me realising how blessed I am to have an opportunity to educate myself. In the early 1900s, there were very few black women had an opportunity to study and better their lives.

I come from a family enriched in Literature and Mathematics. Pursuing a career in communication is something that has been brought down through my history. My chosen career path has been greatly influenced by the legacy left by my forefathers. I am on this journey because I am living the legacy of my ancestors.