Some stories are built in boardrooms, but Tamara’s story was built in the heart of a small village called Kwakuni in the Eastern Cape. It is a story of how a community’s kindness transformed a season of lack into a lifetime of leadership. Today, Tamara stands not just as a successful entrepreneur, but as a living testament to the power of Umntu ngumntu ngabantu.
The Foundation of Ubuntu
Growing up in Kwakuni, opportunities were a luxury and life was often a struggle. After passing her Matric, Tamara found herself facing a daunting reality: her grandparents had passed away, she was living alone, and there was no financial support for her education. However, the village did not let her fall. In a beautiful display of collective support, her neighbors and school joined forces to provide her with groceries and toiletries. It was this support that carried her through her darkest hour.
The Rise of an Entrepreneur
Unable to afford registration fees for school, Tamara left her village in search of work. Her path into the business world began humbly—assisting a friend with a hair business. By bringing in customers and earning commission, she discovered a natural gift for entrepreneurship.
That small window of opportunity changed everything. As Tamara says, “Business took me to school. Business gave me purpose. Business allowed me to look back and give back.”
Impact and Philanthropy
Today, Tamara is a multiple business owner and a job creator. She has moved from receiving groceries to providing them—actively involved in toiletries charity work and hosting social media giveaways to support families in need. Having walked the path of poverty, she uses her platform to advocate for faith, prayer, and the importance of speaking up.
For Tamara, being nominated for an Emerge Africa Award is more than personal recognition. It is a celebration of the community that believed in her. Her village is watching, they are proud, and she carries this honor on behalf of every person who once stood in the gap for her.
“I am here today because of my people, and I will continue to stand with them for as long as God gives me the strength to do so.”
As an official nominee of the Emerge Africa Awards, Tamara voting details are shared below for readers who wish to support her through public voting.
