The humble beginnings of local social worker Kgomotso Bessie have made her more determined and resilient in tackling the social ills she faces in her career.
KGOMOTSO Bessie, a local social worker, has emerged as a beacon of determination and resilience in her fight against social ills. Despite clients’ perceptions that she was born into privilege, Bessie’s upbringing tells a different story.
Bessie, who runs a private social work practice in Homestead, Kimberley, reflects on her journey from humble beginnings. Born in the North West village of Mmiga Ramatlabama, she faced challenges that shaped her character and commitment to her career.
Her high school years at Batloung High School were marked by hard work, but not exceptional results. While some classmates achieved distinctions, Bessie received a school-leaving certificate. Yet, she persevered, determined to make the most of her opportunities.
“My childhood years were tough,” Bessie recalls. “My mother worked as a domestic worker, but not on a permanent basis. She used to get temporary domestic work opportunities. Most of the time we lived from the old age grant money my grandmother received. To supplement our income, my grandmother sold homemade beer, and I assisted after school. That helped give us an income on the days when the grant was not paid.”
Electricity was a luxury they lacked, and new clothes were “non-existent” in her childhood home. Bessie and her siblings walked over 10 kilometres to and from school, naming the daunting route “The Road of Courage”. Despite exhaustion, they pressed on, knowing education was their path to a better future.
“Some people had little to nothing, we just had nothing. My siblings and I used to walk for more than 10 kilometres to and from school … My legs used to shake from exhaustion when we finally made it to school. It was daunting, but we had to endure that road each school day,” she said.
Despite the challenging circumstances she faced, Bessie always harboured a deep desire to effect positive change in people’s lives.
After completing school, uncertainty clouded her path. Her Grade 12 results limited her options, and financial constraints prevented further study. However, her aunt’s encouragement led her to Kimberley, where the conditions captivated her.
“After I completed school … I was at home for a year. It was not a gap year, but rather due to not having many options and also the finances to study further were not there. My aunty told my mother to send me to Kimberley and I was just mesmerised with the conditions when I arrived.
Social work resonated with Bessie, aligning with her unspoken career aspirations. Concerns about financing her studies were met with her aunt’s pragmatic advice: apply first and tackle the rest later.
“My aunt encouraged me to study social work and when she mentioned that, it felt like she picked the exact career choice I was struggling to identify. I was worried about how we would finance my studies, but my aunt encouraged me to first apply and then we will face the rest later,” she said.
Bessie’s path to social work now took an unexpected turn. After applying for a bridging course in Kimberley, she faced silence while her friends received correspondence. The uncertainty weighed on her, but her aunt’s unwavering support pushed her forward.
“There was a bridging course that was offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) at the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) in Kimberley. I applied for the bridging course in order to pursue my social work qualification. However, while my friends all received correspondence from the institute, I never received any indication of whether my application was successful or not.
“My friends were invited to write an aptitude test at the college. I told my aunt about the developments and she instructed me to go with my friends to write the test. I explained to her that I was not invited to write the test, but she would not hear of it and sternly told me to go. I reluctantly went to write the test.
“As I was writing, I kept looking over my shoulder, afraid that someone would come and remove me .. After completing the test, the candidates still had to go through an interview process as only about 25 students would be selected for the course. We waited for our tests to be marked and to go through the interview process.
“I was constantly worried because I thought they must have a shortlist with the names of the candidates. When they called me in for the interview, the first thing the panel did was apologise to me for not contacting me to write the test. They indicated that they were happy that I took the initiative to write the test.
“I was relieved and could focus on selling myself as a successful candidate for the course. I was over the moon when I was selected to be part of the course and that set me on my career path,” she said.
Her career trajectory shifted that day – a testament to resilience, resourcefulness and the power of taking chances – and Bessie has spent the past 11 years in the social work profession
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, she said she is glad that she did not allow her less-than-stellar matric results to hinder her dreams.
“Although I obtained my degree in social work, I continued my studies and obtained a Master’s degree in Disaster Management at the UFS. That proved to me that my dismal matric results could not limit me.”
Bessie said that her colleagues encouraged her to open her own practice, and with unwavering support from family and friends, she took the leap.
Choosing a location accessible to people and also wanting to stay connected with the community, she approached a medical practitioner in Homestead for office space. The process seemed almost serendipitous – like destiny waiting for her to arrive.
“When I approached a medical practitioner, it was as if the process was just waiting for me to show up,” she chuckles.
Bessie offers valuable advice to those navigating life’s difficulties: don’t miss your moment by fixating on external circumstances. Reflecting on her own journey, she recognises that each experience shaped her character. It wasn’t wealth that propelled her forward, but rather the resilience she demonstrated in overcoming obstacles.
“I look back at my life and realise that each of those happenings was building my character. It was not money that brought me to this point, but the struggles and challenges I managed to overcome. One must remember that challenges are temporary and you need to stay focused on the direction you want to take in life,” she said.
Bessie’s resilience and commitment continue to drive her work today. As she supports those facing social challenges, she draws strength from her own journey – a testament to the power of determination and the impact of overcoming adversity.
