“I have attempted suicide many times, but it was not yet my time, God still had a purpose for my life although I could not see that”, says ‘Motshedisi Monnagaratwe a 32-year-old from Khutsong Merafong.
“I had given up on my life when I lost the people close to me, I sank into a depression with no hope that things will ever work out for me”, she said.

After she lost her grandmother in 2009 life became difficult, because her grandmother was her only parent after she lost her parents at a young age. “Some of my family members turned their backs on me, I had no one on my side, I felt less loved and taken care of. I sank into a depression because no one understood my pain and grief.

I turned into a drunkard in a short period of time, alcohol made me feel better and filled the void in my life. People started undermining me and talking ill of me. My life had no direction, I could not believe that my dreams have been shattered, I was a mess”. ‘Motshedisi says all seemed impossible that she tried to commit suicide but never died, then her sister suggested that she should go to rehab if she needs help.

She then admitted that she needed help and will go to rehab.”I have always wanted to finish my matric and go to varsity and become a graduate. “I wanted to go to rehab because I felt lifeless, I had no reason to live anymore. We applied at rehab, and I was accepted, after I spent 6 weeks in the rehab, my social worker called and told me about Bambisandla Sam Centre of Excellence”.

“I did Assistant Chef and Customer Care at Bambisandla Sam Centre of Excellence, I was placed at Star Hyper Super Spar for my practical’s. I did my practical’s as a learner for exposure in the industry. I graduated on the 26th of June 2023, but today the 27th of June 2023 | am going to work as an employee not a learner. I am grateful to my sister who never gave up on me but showed me support and direction of life.

My gratitude to Bambisandla Sam for the opportunity to change my life and make my dream come true. I am an employed graduate today. To young people out there do not give up on your future, stand up and fight for your dreams, do not stop fighting until you achieve your dreams. It is possible”.