LIFE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM 3 INSPIRING WOMEN

We asked three people to share with us the lessons they’ve learnt from the women who shaped and influenced them.

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MOLEBOGENG MASWABI
Molebogeng is a business leader and change agent who is passionate about youth development and women empowerment. Her company, Jupiter Consulting, provides advisory services and she is also the founder of the Women’s Empowerment Network of South Africa (WENOSA), the aim of which is to build a progressive legacy of socio-economic development and transformation for women.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOU AND SHAPED YOU INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY? 
My mother, Leah Maswabi. She is a strong-willed, independent woman who ‘walks tall’, and stops at nothing to actualise her dreams. Also Bathabile Magethi, with whom I was privileged to cross paths in 2014. She’s been in my life ever since, and plays the role of big sister and confidante. Bathabile is a consistent woman of God, and a moral compass for many. And my friends, who are remarkable in more ways than one. It’s impossible to leave their presence without feeling challenged and inspired.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LIFE LESSONS THAT YOU'VE LEARNT FROM THEM? 
To put my best foot forward, regardless of the circumstance; to hold myself accountable; to lift as I rise and to ‘walk confidently in the direction of my highest calling’. They’ve also taught me that there’s no harm in asking for help, especially when the going gets tough.

HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION, AND WHAT LESSONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO PASS DOWN TO THEM? 
In striving to be their point of reference, they must be inspired to live a life of purpose and intention, to live to their fullest potential and to never stop reinventing and developing themselves. Most importantly, I want to inspire them to have a heart of service.



LISA-MARIE CARDOSO
Lisa-Marie is a human resources practitioner, wife and mother of two.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOU AND SHAPED YOU INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY?
you into the person you are today? My Mom is a constant inspiration to me. We lost my dad in 2010 and it was a difficult time for her, yet she managed to persevere and still be an amazing mom and provider for her children. She always has sound advice and is the calm within the storm. My older sister Adriana is also a huge inspiration to me. She is the epitome of positivity in mind, body and spirit. She is always striving for growth and her outlook on life – in good times and bad times – is always sound.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LIFE LESSONS THAT YOU'VE LEARNT FROM THEM? 
The women in my life have taught me that women are powerful and as soon as we realise our strength and potential, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I have also learnt that life throws curve balls at you, and it’s how you deal with these curve balls that counts. You matter, so pay attention to yourself and nurture your wellbeing. Most importantly, learn from your mistakes and do better next time.

HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE YOUR CHILDREN? 
I hope to inspire my children to believe in themselves. I want them to know that it’s okay to not always be right or perfect, and that they can overcome these obstacles.

WHAT IS THE LESSON YOU HOPE TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN? 
That life is about the journey and not the destination, so they must make the journey worth it.

“Life throws curve balls at you, and it’s how you deal with these curve balls that count… learn from your mistakes and do better next time.”

AYANDA NGCOBO
Ayanda, who is married with two children, is a business development expert and senior pastor of Life Abundance Bible Church International in Sandton. Her nine-to-five includes offering marketing services and developing new businesses.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOU AND SHAPED YOU INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY?
My late grandmother, mother and cousin. My grandmother shaped me through her resilience and her outlook on life. My late mother also shaped me through her hard work, focus, planning skills and saving habits. I admire her fighting spirit and how she didn’t allow any circumstances to change who she was as a person.

WHAT LIFE LESSONS DI YOU LEARN FROM THEM? 
From my grandmother I learnt the importance of love, family, giving and prayer. These are things she embodied throughout her life. With my mother, I learnt the importance of keeping people who bring sunshine into your life close to you, and I learnt to live in the moment God has blessed you with. From my late cousin I learnt about the power of forgiveness and how to love people in the best way you can.

“I learnt the importance of keeping people who bring sunshine into your life close to you … and to live in the moment God has blessed you with.”

HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE AND SHAPE YOUR CHILDREN? 
I hope to inspire my children through my story, which shows that your past does not determine your future and that it doesn’t matter what kind of spoon you were fed with. It could be a silver or a wooden spoon, but know that your parents gave you the best they could. Through determination, you can give yourself the kind of spoon you wished you had. I also want my kids to learn that you can fight through any circumstance if you are determined to be who God has called you to be. I want to inspire my kids not to conform, but to always shine bright wherever they are placed. I also want to teach them that God has the last say and when you submit your plans to God, He will make a way for you.

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