By Yolanda Mabanga
Growing up in the squatter camp in Umlazi, Sophia Gumede is a normal matriculant with hopes and dreams of being a respected engineer and desires to make her mom, single parent, and sister proud one day.
“I didn’t have everything but I was grateful for what I did have,” she says.
Every day after school, her and her friends would take long walks back home from school sharing laughter and jokes. Regarding herself as a friendly cheerful person, Gumede chose to associate herself with friends of her nature.
“I love my friends and enjoyed their company. I would definitely look forward to walking home from school with them,” she says.
One day her walk from school would be a walk that would change her whole life around and was still in oblivion as to what would occur.
“I arrived home to find the house on fire, I was in shock and tried to run forward to see if my mom was alright but the neighbouring crowds wouldn’t let me. Instead I was in disbelief and crying my lungs out,” she states.
The fire department, along with the ambulance, soon arrived and was hard at work to prevent further fire outbreaks.
Gumede remembers it to be the longest wait of her life.
“It was as if time paused for a minute and my life was flashing right in front of me. I would have never imagined a moment so brief could drag out for so long. It was definitely traumatising,” she says.
After a few minutes of the chaos, a form of silence settled in as a fireman slowly approached Gumede to disclose the news to her.
“I remember passing out after he told me that my mom suffocated due to smoke inhalation and unfortunately did not make it. I couldn’t believe that my sister and I were going to be orphans. I was almost done with school and this was definitely going to change everything,” she says.
She remembers it being the most difficult moment to sit her younger sister down and break the news to her.
“She cried and cried and cried some more which made me emotional all over again. My aunt was with us and managed to comfort us though we felt numb to everything and everyone around us,” she says.
As months passed and life moved on, Gumede had to be the responsible older daughter now looking after the younger sister.
“I had to understand that my role had changed in an instant and acknowledge that this little child now looks up to me for comfort and a sanctuary,” she explains.
Although extended family contributed to the rest of their school fees, their attention was limited and Gumede had to look after her younger sister as if she were her own child.
“We did get a place to stay within the squatter camp for the both of us so we had to sustain ourselves the best way we know how. I now had to get my sister up and take her to school every day, manage matric by myself and at the same time find means of providing as far as clothes and food is concerned. It was really not easy,” she sobs.
With help from the community, she managed to cope and passed exceptionally well in matric which lead her to receiving a bursary at the Durban University of Technology.
“I believe that everything does happen for a reason and I do know that my mom is still very proud of me, wherever she is,” she says.
Her community and sister have been inspired by the way she has chosen to deal with severe life issues and still remain focused to reaching her desired goals.
“My sister has motivated me so much and I really am proud of her. She is my hero and I aspire to be like her. She is almost done with school and still remains smiling and optimistic,” says Gumede’s younger sister, Xoli.
Her sister is certain that in due time she will reap the benefits of her hard work and believes that God will grant her the desires of her heart for remaining faithful and strong after the months.
“I know my sister is a strong woman and whatever life throws at her now she will certainly have the ability to overcome it. It is her strong will and drive that rubs off on me and makes me want to make her proud as well,” says Xoli.
Gumede glows when talking about her mom, saying that she was definitely one of a kind and saw light even though things looked negative.
“It was through her perception of life that I was able to encounter such moments with strength. I hope one day, after I get this degree, I will be able to provide sufficiently for my sister, the way I originally planned,” she says with a smile.
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