Fearlessly overcoming adversities

Raised in various townships in KwaZulu-Natal, Nondumiso Phenyane managed to pursue her passions, dreams and happiness, despite the life-changing obstacles along the way. With an optimistic outlook, intrinsic motivation and a bold belief in herself, Phenyane looks forward to the future.

Standing on stage with trembling legs and a scroll in hand wasn’t something Phenyane easily envisioned as a child, let alone three times over. She waved her degree in the musty air of the University of Cape Town’s Memorial Hall as she made eye-contact with her aunt, Lindiwe Kunene, who traveled especially for this momentous occasion. She beamed with pride, hearing the resounding sound of the audience’s continuous clapping.

Now, at the age of 29, she has found her passion in academia. Phenyane is lecturing at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Law Faculty and doing research that impacts communities.

Additionally, she has developed a love for food photography. This colourful and creative outlet enables her to express creativity, experiences and share her relationship with food that has developed over the years.

Urban township upbringing

Phenyane was born in Clermont near Pinetownand grew up in Emondlo near Vryheid in KZN.

“A lot of people who are born in townships have to live very difficult lives, still have to make their way through society and make something of their lives,” says Phenyane. Often these circumstantial difficulties aren’t accounted for, she explains. 

“I think in many ways, I was one of those young people, who didn’t have a particularly ideal childhood,” Phenyane adds. 

Having been raised in a home where “some people were abusive”, Phenyane had a particularly close bond with her mother, Thwasana Kunene, a hard-working post office teller.

“I’ve always been introverted. As a child I was quiet and reserved,” says Phenyane. She described her childhood as rather lonely. Perceptive and highly aware of her surroundings, she learned a lot through observing and listening over the years.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that as a child, I did have people in my life who didn’t treat me well,” says Phenyane. 

Some adults in her life didn’t have her best interests at heart and she felt as though her mother was the only one who truly did. “One of the most life- changing experiences for me, is just being loved by my mom,” she adds.

Phenyane’s mother shaped the image that Phenyane and her sister, Nonto Kunene, had of love.

“My biggest fear growing up was that my mother would pass away. I thought if she died, I’d die with her,” says Phenyane.

However, her “worst nightmare came to pass” in 2004, when her mother passed away as a result of AIDS. “It’s difficult to deal with the trauma that results from those particular circumstances,” she says.

Phenyane explained that at the age of 13, losing her mother in this way, was one of the harsh realities of growing up in the townships. “It continues to be a difficult experience to live without her,” she says.

Significant changes & successes

After her mother’s death, Phenyane moved to Claremont, near Pinetown in Durban  KwaZulu-Natal, to live with her maternal grandmother. Phenyane went to Pinetown Girls High School and was supported by her aunt, Lindiwe Kunene.

She received a National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary that enabled her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Bachelor of Laws at UCT. She further received the Ethel Walt Scholarship and funding from the National Research Foundation to complete her LLM.

Phenyane’s impressive academic record and qualifications enabled her to work at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The experience made her realize that she missed academia, working independently and being surrounded by inquisitive young minds.

“There’s a humility about being in an academic institution and being open to the fact that you’re a student before anything else,” she says.

Phenyane feels that in 10 years’ retrospect, if she can provide her 19-year-old self with advice upon leaving her grandmother’s home for university, she would prioritise understanding herself sooner. This would’ve enabled her to spend more time on fulfilling and enjoyable things that align better with who she is, she explains.

“I think I tried to do what I thought seemed important, or is expected of me,” she says. She feels that everyone can learn a lot from introspection and studying themselves more intentionally and intricately, before navigating their lives into a certain direction. 

Vegan Attempts

Besides revealing her passion for academia, Phenyane’s introspection also led to the discovery of her passion for food photography. That is how her venture, Vegan Attempts, started.

“This creative endeavour, is me perusing an aspect of myself that I neglected for many years,” Phenyane admits.

She takes great delight in decorating vibrantly coloured breakfast smoothies. While delicately placing raspberries and rose petals in aesthetically pleasing positions, Phenyane decided to photograph her nutritious creations before indulging in it. Shortly after uploading these photographs on her personal Instagram account, she noticed that they received attention. This positive response led to launching the website and Instagram page, called Vegan Attempts.

“Over time, I’ve grown into developing recipes, styling food and doing food photography,” says Phenyane. The vibrant colours, patterns and textures of plant based ingredients, inspire Phenyane to add intricate detail to dishes, she explains.

“I recently worked with Leopards Leap wine, Yokos cultured yoghurt and Food Lover’s Market,” says Phenyane. She is proud and privileged that something she derives so much joy from, gains the interest of others and inspires them.

Vegan Attempts has taught Phenyane about the importance of deliberately pursuing ventures that acknowledge the multi-faceted aspects of who she is. When she started working in Bloemfontein in 2018, she quickly realised that work is merely one aspect of her life.  “Vegan Attempts has taught me the importance of being a whole, rounded individual,” she says.

Future Aspirations

A person who inspires Phenyane is Patricia Bright, British influencer and fashion blogger. She teaches young women about financial empowerment, something Phenyane is immensely passionate about.

“I do have aspirations of developing entrepreneurial projects for young people through Vegan Attempts,” says Phenyane, adding that Kayamandi is where she’d like to start.

Phenyane recently started her doctorate in law. “My research deals with the justice of dispute resolution systems that have existed in urban townships since as early as 1901,” says Phenyane. Having grown up in townships herself, she feels that empowering community courts can improve access to justice in South Africa. 

“I want to find ways to give young people the tools to navigate life in the position [that] they find themselves, and try to make a success of their lives, irrespective of circumstances they’re faced with,” she adds.

From fear to fearless 

Having lived through her absolute worst fear, she says that has proven to herself that she can overcome anything.

Shortly after Mother’s Day this year, her sister sent her a photograph of what their mother did for Phenyane’s first birthday.

 “My mom put a lot of effort into birthdays and would throw these big parties for us,” she mentions.

According to Phenyane, her mother put messages into the photo album and upon seeing this again, she suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion. “I had a moment where I recognized the loss of not having her around,” she says. This has been the most painful thing for her to process, she explains.

“You must not fear the worst possible outcome, you will survive it and that’s the secret to life,” says Phenyane.