The booth with Ivy Tshabalala

Gone are the days when fathers were the sole bread winners, mothers are no longer fierce only in their homes but corporate world as well hence it has had to adjust in order to accommodate them. After trying to pin Ivy Tshabalala down for a one on one session finally, I managed to track her down at her house in the Vaal. In due-time she will be jetting off to Namibia for two weeks on a tour for the Deaf organizations.

Ivy, a former actress, mother, ambassador and deaf activist is still nursing blisters and change in skin tone due to her recent 132km walk from Sasolburg to Kroonstad in commemoration of deaf awareness. She was born slightly three decades ago and has been living in the Vaal since her mother tied the knot. Although it is a norm that kids become completely different to their parents, she emphasize it out that she emulated a lot of things from her mother and is glad to see that even her own daughter is walking on the same path.

FAMILY

She speaks fondly of her daughter Naledi and the face glitter, showing a sign of a proud mom. “She is turning seven tomorrow and it’s been sometime since I last saw her, as she’s staying with my mom but I am planning a surprise party at the school. We recently bought a vehicle and named it after her and whenever we drive it she would remind us to drive her car gently. I must confess that I was an average student but Naledi is just too bright, extreme and fronting which is why I can’t wait to expose her to the possibilities by getting her the best education a mother can give. ”

She touches base on her mother whom she holds highly and can’t stop singing praises and a brother who came into picture recently but is quick to thread carefully about saying much about her late sister and love life respectively.

RELIGION

Asked about the escalating number of prophets who claim to be god-sent she said “Long as the people are being saved, see the light and repent it’s alright. That’s all that matters”

“At age sixteen I was born-again and received Jesus Christ as my savior, I am Bishop Stephen Zondo’s daughter – he is my spiritual father. I remember at one time I followed the music that led to a temple on my arrival I felt at home, I am a regular at church except when I’m away on business. I don’t slaughter animal to appease ancestors however I attend such gatherings and feast on food cause that’s what they are made for, though I watch what I eat”

POLITICS

“I am a staunch member of the ruling party as you might have notice with campaigns we had with my friend who is a well-known actor (name known by this paper). I will always be its activist as it was started by churches, which is why I like referring to it as African National Congregation. I believe that Julius Malema is a great leader, look at the massive support he gets with his disciplinary hearing and whenever he talks the world listens. The ruling party strides by its tagline “A better life for all” as I believe it doesn’t fail only delays, it’s unfortunate that our people grew up with the mentality that for something to be achieved toyi-toying is the way to go.

Discrimination across racial line still exist however before that we need to do self introspection, we turn to think that we are superior to others mainly because we attend certain churches and when it comes to monetary value its even worse.”

WORK

Ivy attended drama classes and considers herself fortunate to have being lectured by the veteran actor John Kani, her television career kick started with a show called Dtv and has went on to grace the small screen on Zwa-hashu and later Muvhango which made her popular although she is reluctant to refer to herself as a celebrity. “My memorable moment in the broadcasting industry was my first time on set, you know how thick make-up is and after filming I didn’t wipe it off instead I boarded two taxi back home and that’s when I knew good things were only beginning. My first scene on Muvhango with Thandaza (Sindi Dlathu), where the storyline was identical to my real life is worth a mention.”

I owe my appreciation to my team at Bathabile Training and Services for being my pillar and sharing the same sentiments and vision in seeing it take a step further in growth. The company is not that big and I source out staff and my dream is to open a school for the deaf.