- Thembisile Maphalala of Meadowlands Zone 10 got her matric at 38 after her beauty business struggled for years without one.
- She now runs Telesmurfs ECD in Meadowlands Zone 10 and Telesmarties in Clayville, employing ten people across both crèches combined.
For Thembisile Maphalala of Meadowlands Zone 10 in Soweto, education was not just about obtaining a certificate. It was about opening doors that had repeatedly been closed in her face.
A qualified beautician, Maphalala returned to school in 2015 after struggling to find opportunities in her profession.
“Business was slow and I was frustrated because opportunities would pass me by because I did not have a matric certificate. I would apply for jobs, but I quickly realised that without matric, doors close in your face,” she said.
At the age of 38, Maphalala achieved a milestone she had once thought was out of reach, she matriculated.
“I was so proud of myself. I got my matric at the age of 38,” she said.
With the support of her sister, Thobile, and her brother-in-law, she decided not to stop there. She wanted to further her education and enrolled for an ECD Level 4 programme at the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance.
Getting into the programme proved to be another challenge.
“I went there and they told me they were full. I sat outside and waited for someone to drop out.”
“Around 3pm, a lady gave up because she said the programme was too much. That was my opportunity, and I started,” Maphalala said.
The journey was difficult, but she was determined.
“I was excited because I could now mingle with people who had matric. It was not easy, but I passed and graduated. I even had a party to celebrate my achievement,” she said.
Her next dream was to open a crèche. But, like many aspiring entrepreneurs, she had little money and few resources.
Her late brother gave her advice that would change the direction of her life, start with what you have, where you are.
Maphalala took the advice literally. She converted her family home into a crèche, removed the furniture and built a shack in the yard where she could live.
“I had never stayed in a shack before in my life, but I stayed there for three years while I built the crèche,” she said.
Through determination and word of mouth, the business grew.
Today, Maphalala runs Telesmurfs ECD in Meadowlands Zone 10, which employs six people. She has also opened a second branch, Telesmarties, in Clayville Extension 29, with four employees.
Both Telesmurfs and Telesmarties take children from six months to six years old, and run from 6am to 6pm.
Her journey has also taken her into leadership. She currently serves as deputy chairperson of the Asilweni Bomama Forum, advocating for the rights of ECD owners.
Maphalala says education has transformed not only her opportunities, but also her confidence.
“I have confidence now because of education. I have learnt to be a leader and I feel confident as a woman,” she said.
Her story has already inspired four people to return to school.
“Matric opens doors. I would encourage anyone with a dream to go back to school and invest in themselves,” she said.
Maphalala hopes to continue her own educational journey by studying ECD Level 5 next year.
Running ECD centres without government or other stakeholder funding remains challenging, but she says the experience has taught her valuable skills in budgeting, communication and leadership.
“I believe I can now engage with anyone because I have education on my side,” she said.
From returning to school at 38, to living in a shack for three years while turning her family home into a crèche, Maphalala’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination and the power of investing in oneself.
