A woman of strength is a local hero
Kgaogelo’s book is for poor children who think they can’t make it, women clinging to marriages that aren’t working, youths on drugs who owe their lives to themselves, the girls who are pregnant out of wedlock and the abusive man who needs to do an introspection.
KGAOGELO Mojela (47) from Ormonde has launched her first book called Break Out Break Loose Break Free and is proud to have recently graduated in America after completing her theology studies.
To understand her emotional yet heart-warming story, we recently met with Kgaogelo where she broke down her life for us after she was nominated as a local hero by one of our readers.
The mother of two and proud grandmother and mother-in-law was born in Diepkloof and was one of 10 children to her parents who sadly passed away of cancer many years ago.
Her schooling and studying career
She attended Bapedi Lower Primary School, Lebowa Primary and Namedi Secondary School. In 1996 when schools were closed down she then attended what was Diepkloof Junior Secondary School and is now Bopasenatla Secondary School. She matriculated from Madibane Comprehensive High School.
She then went on to work at the Johannesburg hospital as a secretary or admin clerk for a year. Thereafter, she went to the Soweto College where she completed a three-year senior secondary teacher’s diploma. She then spent 20 years teaching accounting, economics and life skills at Namedi Secondary School. This is where her interest in remedial education was sparked.
During her 20 year journey teaching at Namedi Secondary School, she completed her diploma in remedial education at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), BA degree in psychology and philosophy at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and BEd Honours in special needs education at Wits. She also has a certificate in Christian counselling and graduated in America in June last year after completing her Bachelor of Theology degree at the Global University.
After leaving Namedi Secondary School and before beginning her studies with Global University, she worked at the Mezodo Vocational Skills Centre in Soweto, which is a special needs school. She also worked at Cotlands Baby Sanctuary, Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) in Soweto, Sandown High School and Forest Town School where she currently works.
Born into a tough life and overcoming an abusive relationship
Kgaogelo was born two months premature and was given three hours to live. After surviving three hours the doctor gave her three months to live. Kgaogelo and her nine siblings grew up extremely poor with exceptionally strict and staunch Christian parents.
“Both my parents died in their fifties of cancer so I never thought I would ever see 50,” said Kgaogelo.
The Break Out Break Loose Break Free author spoke of how her ex-husband abused her in every kind of way (emotionally, physically, sexually, etc.) for about seven years. At the time she left the relationship with her four-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter. She fled to a shelter called People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) where they helped her with her divorce process.
“The book outlines the story of her childhood experiences, her abusive marriage which ended in divorce, how she raised two children without any form of support. We need such people in our communities to encourage the young and old alike. She is my hero,” said Amanda, Kgaogelo’s daughter.
She then lived in someone’s back room (while working and studying). After completing her degree she got a home loan and bought a house in Soweto. Ten years later she sold it and purchased her home in Ormonde where she has been living for about 16 years.
“At POWA they encouraged us to write and that’s how I started my book. I’m a very private person so this was new to me. I wrote this to target the 16 days of activism and to show how I had to free myself from the relationship I was in,” said Kgaogelo.
Break Out Break Loose Break Free was released on November 25, 2017, and if you would like to purchase it to read about all of Kgaogelo’s experiences contact 082 515 7487 or email motlalepulamojela@gmail.com
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