I was born in Durban, South Africa in 1961 and studied for a Bachelor of Arts in English and History at University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus from 1980-1983. I worked for a few years as a receptionist and coordinator in the offices of the (then) official opposition party to the nationalist government, the Progressive Party. I then moved to Cape Town to work with a group that monitored police and army abuses in townships. In both jobs I had a fair salary and contributions to medical aid and a pension fund. I then worked and travelled overseas for a year and returned home. I had saved enough money to keep my pension fund going and restarted my medical aid. It took me about 3 or 4 months to find work and during that time, I did odd jobs and part-time work for small organisations.
I realised that in order to get a job I really enjoyed, I would need more skills. My Father had passed away and left me some money, so I had resources to study again. So I studied for a higher diploma in education in Pietermaritzburg and then a diploma in librarianship at the University of Cape Town. It felt like a good way to honour my Father.
It was then the early 1990’s and politically, things were changing in South Africa but the apartheid systems and institutions were still in place. I did not want to teach in racially segregated schools and could not find a teaching position in the few integrated schools. I was so lucky to find a job with an activist organisation working on providing a resource centre focusing on social justice. It was attached to the University of Cape Town. I then shifted to work at the African Gender Institute also at UCT. The institution provided contributions to a pension fund, retirement annuity and a housing subsidy.
From there I shifted to coordinating the training and networking of a global South NGO which focused on supporting activists in their safe and sustainable use of technology and in policy advocacy work. The salary was good although not as much as many global NGO’s as there was a very ethical approach to how donor funds were spent. We were given a set amount each year for benefits which we had to use for a medical aid fund and could choose how the rest was spent. We had to submit proof of expenditure.
I voluntarily retired (or I prefer to say started “re-wiring”) in February 2025. I had planned an exit strategy with the organisation for about three years prior to leaving. I felt that the work, which I loved, needed younger energy and a different set of skills and identity. I had been working with a financial planner since about 2018 and had been setting aside a large portion of my salary to “catch up” on my savings.
I now undertake a few small consultancies for the organisation I used to work for and sit (unpaid) on two boards of organisations I respect. The rest of my time is used to pursue hobbies, contribute to some local organisations, spend time with my godchildren, care for a very elderly Aunty and travel locally. I hope to do more travel and continue with some consultancies.