By Gofaone Motsamai

From the village of Leshobo in Taung to the corridors of leadership in the Free State’s Department of Agriculture, Ntombana Dlanga’s life story is one of effort, purpose and the impact of education.

Born and raised in a household led by a single mother who worked as a nursing assistant, Ntombana’s dreams of higher education seemed out of reach after she matriculated in 1997. “There was just no money for university,” she recalls. “So, I went into what I knew – hustling.”

Between 1999 and 2001 Ntombana worked as a domestic worker in Gauteng, but she had another plan.

“In December 2001, I packed my bags and said to myself, ‘I am not coming back as a domestic worker. There is potential in me.’” With determination and encouragement from cousins already studying at the North-West University (the former University of North-West), she made her way to the Mahikeng Campus.

“My dream was to study nursing, but the programme was full. So, I thought, animal health is also part of health – let me try there,” she explains.

Registration came with financial hurdles. Her mother signed off an edu-loan application, and Ntombana applied for NSFAS, previously known as TEFSA, which later covered her studies and accommodation.

Being the first in her family to attend university came with its own pressure. “In high school, I ran away from math class. But at university, I passed math and physics – some with distinctions.” In her second year, her marks dropped because of political involvement. A friend encouraged her to shift focus. “I quit politics and focused on my studies.”

Ntombana completed her bachelor’s degree in animal health in 2004 and enrolled for an honours degree in 2005 while applying for jobs. She received an internship at the National Zoological Gardens (Pretoria Zoo) before completing her degree. She arranged with her lecturers to finish her work while interning.

“I was never in class for theory. I only came for activities and exams. And I passed – better than those who attended full-time.” She graduated in April 2006 with an honours degree in animal health.

Ntombana received two job offers and chose the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, where she became the first black woman to hold the role of animal health technician.

Now a mother of two and a resident of Fauresmith, Ntombana is the first black woman appointed as an assistant director for animal health in the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“I once told myself – one day I am going to have two cars, two garages, a husband and kids. Today I have all of that – and more.”

Ntombana Dlanga