I met up with Tlou Sinkie Mphela at Mall of Africa for the eighth segment of #MindsoftheYouth. Tlou has a very strong character that radiates quiet confidence and stillness. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation with her and I hope you will learn a thing or two from her journey.
Tell me about your upbringing and where you come from?
I was born in Limpopo and I moved to Tembisa in 2003. I have seven siblings and I am the seventh of all of them. I did my primary school at Tlhakanang and high school at Zitikeni. I was a very quiet and disciplined child while growing up; my parents didn’t struggle with me.
I lived in a home without electricity up until my matric year in 2010 and I would sometimes go to school without pocket money. That motivated me to excel in my studies and after finishing my matric I went to the University of Western Cape (UWC).
To people who don’t know you how would you describe yourself?
Naturally I am a quiet person but once I get to know people I open up.
Where do you work and what do you do in simple terms?
I work at Sanlam as a senior fund administrator. My team deals with terminations of client contracts, either through transfers or liquidation.
I also have a side hustle; I sell sun glasses and women’s bags.
How old are you this year?
Turned 27 on 8 August
What were your plans for this year?
To deliver a healthy baby girl, I feel blessed and proud. I bought my first car and started with my post graduate studies. Lastly, to manage my money wisely.
What are you willing to struggle for?
Education for my siblings and relatives, I know the value of education. It goes a long way.
What did you love to do in school and what were your favourite subjects?
I played soccer and my favourite subjects were accounting and mathematics.
What did you study after high school and where?
BCom: General majoring in Investments and finance at UWC.
I am currently pursuing a post graduate diploma in Investment Management with Milpark Education.
What’s your quake book and your current read?
Awaken The Giant Within by Anthony Robbins. It taught me about the value of believing in myself.
My current read is I write What I Like by Steve Biko
What are you most proud of in your life?
A leadership course that I recently completed, it taught me to eliminate fear as a shy person when I am doing public speaking and how to lead and not manage people.
What’s your philosophy of life?
Consistency because it reveals what you value most in your life.
What do you think of femicide and what can we do to eliminate it?
Focus on early childhood development and not only focus on the girl child but also invest in the boy child from an early age. If we work together as parents, teachers, law enforcement and society I believe we can solve this crisis we are facing.
What is your favourite quote?
“If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always gotten.” – Anthony Robbins