Motivate to educate
Phumzile Philips is a 21-year-old motivational speaker from Vosloorus.
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Philips says becoming a motivational speaker was not always something that she envisioned she would become.
“I did not choose to be a motivational speaker, but people saw it in me before I could even see it in myself,” says Philips.
Philips has a three-year-old daughter, and uses this situation in her life to encourage teenagers and educate them during her motivational talks.
“I had a child while I was very young, during my first year at University. It was very hard, but my mom was there for me. Through this life experience, I’ve learned to be courageous, strong and to fight for independence.”
She believes that people need daily motivation and encouragement to overcome challenges and obstacles in life.
“There is always someone that has been through worse than what you are going through, so one can be motivated and inspired by other people’s life stories,” she says.
Philips also practices what she preaches and uses her own words to motivate herself to get through life.
“While other young people give up and find every reason not to chase their dreams, I am a fighter and a go-getter. I strive for what I want and I believe in hard work,” adds Philips.
She encourages young people to rise above their situations, because they can.
“You Can” is the inspirational words she uses to motivate young people.
She also has a facebook page called YoungPersonYouCan, which provides daily motivations.