Life is bound to challenge us in one way or another. But it’s our inner courage that always sees us through. Cabangile Mdluli, Bala Gangiah, and Desiree-Anne Martin have faced devastating circumstances in their lives. Determined to persevere, they each chose a route of bravery. And it’s paid off more beautifully than they could have ever imagined.
When Cabangile Mdluli was just 14 years old, she became the caregiver of her siblings. They were forced to rely on government grants of just R640 to keep them going. “It was not easy because there were so many of us,” Mdluli says. Despite facing a desperate situation, she maintained her mettle. Turning to her studies for solace, Mdluli fought to change her predicament. Her dedication earned her a place in university, and she’s now striving to assist others by studying social work. “I can help people look at life differently and believe in themselves,” Mdluli says. “If you are struggling, there are better times coming.”
Bala Gangiah is also an optimist. But the day doctors diagnosed a cancerous cyst on his kidney, it delivered a blow to his usually positive attitude. To save his life, he had the organ removed. Yet Gangiah wasn’t prepared to let the disease shake him. Summing up all of his courage, he channelled it into his dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Gangiah spent months building his physical strength and mental resolve. Then, he took his first steps up the peak. “My body may have been weak, but my mind was a thousand times stronger,” Gangiah says. With each footprint bearing testament to his recovery, he made it to the 5 895-metre summit.
Author Desiree-Anne Martin found her fortitude in words. After facing a turbulent youth, she developed a heroin addiction which she hid from others. “In so many communities, there’s this rule of sweeping things under the carpet and not talking about what’s going on,” Martin says. While in rehab, she used writing to express herself and open up about her addiction. After 14 years of being clean, Martin published an autobiography in which she candidly revealed her struggles. Now, she’s creating the space for people in similar situations to find help too. “Truth takes courage,” Martin says.
Whether rising up out of financial difficulty or embarking on a road to healing, we have the power to overcome our obstacles. Take it from Mdluli, Gangiah, and Martin. Bravery is our greatest ally.
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