She Builds Mnandi: Ep 3_My Mum climbed to Everest Base Camp at 73 with Dr. Vanita Richard. A Story of conquering the Mountain within, of Resilience, Courage and Breaking Moulds.

Breaking moulds, building mountains of courage.In the Spirit of honouring the African women that are Building, I could not have run the series without doing this episode with my Mum, Mama, Mamzo. She has and continues to Build a Legacy of Grace & Strength and is not afraid to challenge the perceptions, templates and conditioning that many women continue to face. I am proud to be her daughter. In this powerful episode of She Builds Mnandi, Dr. Vanita Richard shares her extraordinary journey. From growing up as an Indian woman in apartheid South Africa, to becoming a teacher of Home Economics for High Schools in Lenasia, meeting her husband, and stepping into activism with courage and conviction. Moving from Teaching into Matthew Goniwe, Pilo and working with and being inspired by Prof. Mary Metcalfe. She reflects on the challenges of raising a family while standing up for truth and justice, and the profound losses she has endured, including the sudden passing of her husband (Benjamin Richard) in May 2024 and losing both of her sons to mental illness (suicide). At 73, she climbed to Everest Base Camp, with my Dad's ashes, embodying resilience and the unbreakable spirit that has carried her through a lifetime of struggle and triumph. This conversation is a testament to legacy, courage, and the power of living one’s truth no matter which chapter in life you find yourself in. #ForLegacy #ForMum #ForDad #forAllComrades #SouthAfrica #apartheid #Sophiatown #Lenasia #Lens #SADTU #PTL #BeingIndian