02/09/2022
It's FriYAY, Motivational Friday and no better way to end the week than going into Tholar Hope Khumalo Drive Hope full Bio on who she is and how she is making an impact and change in the community
Read her full interview below:
Africa Rise: Please tell us where you are from.
Hope: I was born in Mamelodi Hospital (Pretoria) a high-density area, township. Currently reside in Johannesburg South Africa.
Africa Rise: Tell us more about who Hope?
Hope: I'm a young lady who is into the Digital creative space and enjoys keeping up with the trends in the social media world.
Africa Rise: Why do you love Africa?
Hope: Africa is rich in many things, not only in minerals but cultural diversity, the spirit of Ubuntu as well as the history behind it.
Africa Rise: You love to inspire kids to get an education and see it through, what inspires you to do this?
Hope: Education has changed my life in a huge way and if I was not inspired myself, I wouldn’t be where I am. It was very easy for me to give up on life but I continued with school and I want other girls to see that with education a lot can change. Quitting because of your background is never the answer.
Africa Rise: Tell us more about Drive Hope?
Hope: Drive Hope is committed to empowering girls and raising awareness about menstrual health and giving them the opportunity to continue their education without any discomfort, embarrassment or any loss of dignity.
Africa Rise: What inspired you to start Drive Hope?
Hope: Mostly it has to do with my upbringing, the environment I was living in and the community itself. Each household was faced with different struggles and situations hence things like sanitary pads & education was never prioritized in some families.
“Just like any girl child – I also had unfortunate events where I was not able to afford sanitary towels. I started my periods at the age of 12 years and I had already lost both my parents at that time. The first person I talked to about my menstruation was my big sister. Firstly, I was embarrassed to tell my sister that I’m on my periods, secondly, she had to hustle for money to buy me sanitary wipes. For the longest time I was just not confident when it was that time of the month because I had no plan on how I would get sanitary wipes. For as long as condoms are free and sanitary towels are not, I will continue to fight for young girls to get access to free sanitary wipes”.
Africa Rise: What challenges have you faced as young growing up?
Hope: I lost both my parents at a young age and I had to live with a lot of different family members, my sister couldn’t afford to take care of me and I always needed a home. It was only later in my life where I was able to get a family that took care of me.
Africa Rise: Is there one person in your life who really influenced you in the pursuit of your passion?
Hope: My father
Africa Rise: What are the challenges that you most commonly face in Africa as a woman making waves in the digital sector?
Hope: Lack of access to flexible and remote work especially for women with younger children. A widening gender income gap is still a `thing`. These are my top 2.
Africa Rise: What keeps you going in life?
Hope: My faith in Christ keeps me going
Africa Rise: What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
Hope: Celebrate small victories
Africa Rise: What is your definition of success?
Hope: Success means happiness and a sense of giving back – Success for me isn’t material things but it is the ability to sleep at night without worrying about tomorrow.
Africa Rise: If people want to contribute towards Drive Hope, how can they do so?
Hope: Drive Hope is definitely a noble initiative worth investing in for the greater good of the girl child and the preservation of human decency. Corporate and individual well-wishers can be part of this initiative by
emailing [email protected] or calling 069 373 6976.
We have a page Drive Hope to know and appreciate what’s being done.
Africa Rise: What advice would you give to Africans to never stop dreaming and going for their dreams?
Hope: People only believe in your craft because you also believe in it, do not be afraid to start again if it didn’t work out the first time.