Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Sibongile lived with her mom, MaBongi, but at a young age, her mother passed away, leaving her all alone and vulnerable. She had little hope for her life and ended up dropping out of school for two years. Deep sorrow and pain became her daily reality, and she often wondered where she would end up. She was far too young to think about any possibilities for a better future. All she could think about was, “How could my mom leave me all alone?” The question “Where to from here?” became a deafening echo in her soul. Homeless and lost, she was eventually taken in by her neighbours, who helped her return to the school system. Due to her long absence, she had to start again in grade 3, adjusting to a new routine in a different environment, which called for discipline and focus as she navigated her way towards a better life.
Resilience and academic success
This new life required resilience and courage. “By God’s grace, I always came out on top of the class,” she said. Joy and excitement filled her heart as she realised how blessed she was, with newfound hope and a spring in her step. However, in 1995, the mother of the neighbours who had taken her in passed away. Her children accused Sibongile of killing their mother and forced her out of the house. She recalls heading to town, unsure of where she was going. This was just after she had completed grade 12. That night, after a long, lonely walk, she slept in a small field on Victoria Road in Pietermaritzburg.It was one of the longest and loneliest nights of her life, with a million thoughts racing through her mind. “Where to from here?” The next morning, she decided to look for a job, even if it was only cleaning, and continued walking.
A divine connection
While on her way to Boom Street, she encountered Phindile, a school teacher she had met in grade 11. Sibongile and several classmates had formed part of a delegation to attend a leadership training programme at African Enterprise for two weeks, where Phindile was part of the training team. They had grown close during that time. Meeting her again brought tears to Sibongile’s eyes, and she began to weep. Phindile, moved with compassion, invited Sibongile to stay with her. This was the year she gave her life to Jesus Christ at New Zion, a charismatic church where Phindile was a member.
Pastors Hilton and Rhoda Toohey
A new chapter begins
Soon after, she was introduced to Pastor Hilton Toohey. She shared her journey with him, explaining that she had passed grade 12 with a merit. Pastor Hilton asked her what she would like to study, and she expressed a desire to become a teacher at Indumiso College in Imbali township, Pietermaritzburg. Pastor Hilton promised to see what he could do. Sibongile passed the entrance exam, and with the church’s support, the church secretary took her documents and submitted the application on her behalf. The church offered her a full scholarship for her entire studies.
Facing challenges with support
In her second year, she became pregnant by a boy who had been her boyfriend in grade 11. She dreaded telling the pastoral couple about it, knowing they would be disappointed. “The pastor’s wife was very angry with me. She confronted me sternly, like a mother would, while the pastor called me in and spoke gently,” she recalls. Despite their disappointment, they reassured her that they would continue to pay for her tuition because they had made an unconditional promise before God to support her.
Sibongile and her daughter Buhle sharing their story.
A legacy of gratitude and faith
Her daughter Buhle was born, and today she is a qualified medical doctor from the University of the Free State. Sibongile is proud that she could support her daughter’s education. Buhle is a committed Christian, deeply in love with Jesus, and active in her local church. Sibongile continues to serve at New Zion alongside her family. She is eternally grateful for what the church has done for her and acknowledges that she will never be able to repay them. “The seed they have sown will ripple through generations,” she says, filled with gratitude.
This article is featured in the December issue of JOY! Magazine, which is now on sale nationwide! Pick up your copy from any leading supermarket, or read a digital version of this issue here: https://joygifts.co.za/product/joy-magazine-december-issue-2024/
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Date published: 17/12/2024
Feature image: Sibongile
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