Byline: Captain SA
Ntombezinhle Buthelezi, a 21-year-old trailblazer, is breaking barriers and inspiring change within her community. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a firm advocate for women’s rights, Ntombezinhle’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and empowerment.
Motivated by a thirst for knowledge and supported by her aunt, Ntombezinhle found her way to our mentorship program, recognizing it as a rare opportunity to gain valuable insights and guidance. She shares, “What motivated me to join is the fact that I can never get such free knowledge from anywhere but this program, oh and my aunt also motivated me to join this program.”
Through the mentorship program, Ntombezinhle discovered the power of courage and the importance of standing tall in the face of adversity. She reflects, “The knowledge that I have gained from this specific mentorship is courage and to stick out my chest, it also taught me that freedom of speech can give me a lot of opportunities, opportunities to love myself even more and to reach other goals in life.”
Embracing her identity as a feminist, Ntombezinhle refuses to let anyone dictate her worth or limit her potential. She emphasizes, “This program has just made me be a feminist even more, it has taught me to never allow men to gain power over my life and it has taught me to accept people and their flaws because I might be in their shoes in another time in life.”
Despite the challenges of not always finding topics that directly resonate with her experiences as a homosexual female, Ntombezinhle remains steadfast in her commitment to speaking her truth and advocating for her rights. She asserts, “The program has taught me freedom of speech, so in the near future, I will never be submissive to anyone unless they are my parents because submissiveness leads to being taken advantage of.”
Grateful for the unparalleled support and resources provided by the program, Ntombezinhle acknowledges the transformative impact it has had on her life. She expresses, “The support is beyond great, even our own government does not offer such financial & personal support so I am really grateful for this opportunity, I have never been in a program or any learnership so this is my first one.”
Looking ahead, Ntombezinhle is determined to pay it forward by empowering young women and marginalized communities. She envisions creating online platforms where individuals can find support, guidance, and solidarity. “I see myself empowering young women and my community by opening social media groups to be virtually there for women so they don’t feel alone, so they have someone to talk to about confusions and problems they face in life so they don’t make the same mistakes that women before them have made.”
Ntombezinhle Buthelezi’s journey exemplifies the spirit of resilience, determination, and empowerment. As she continues to pave the way for future generations, her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for us all.
#EmpowermentJourney #NtombezinhleButhelezi #LGBTQ+ #WomenEmpowerment