I first met the Above Normal founder, Masingita Masuta, on Facebook. Then, I met Masuta face to face last December at Southgate Mall. She is such a great conversationalist. It was a pleasure to meet her.
During our lunch meeting, she told me a bit about herself. She's feisty, stubborn, opinionated and headstrong. A few years ago, she tested for a driver's licence and failed seven times. She was told to give up, but she never did, until she got her license. Now, she drives herself around.
Masuta has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement, posture, and speech. When she speaks, one must listen very carefully. However, that has not stopped her from pursuing her goals with gusto and living her life to the fullest. For instance, she is a fitness fanatic, sells sportswear, and has a podcast.
Not long ago, Masuta responded to the veteran actor's appeal, mam' Nandi Nyembe, for help. Mam' Nyembe had spent all her money on medical bills. So, she had no money to buy food and other basic stuff. The Above Normal founder organised groceries and delivered them to her.
The story of mam' Nyembe caught the media frenzy, and the government and nation responded positively. Then, the veteran actor got help from all angles. Thanks to Masuta for standing up and doing something about the plight of mam' Nyembe.
Another actor, Roderick Jafta, has fallen on hard times. Jafta, known for his role as Glen Majozi in Generation, has been struggling to make ends meet. Masuta assisted him with rent and groceries. Interestingly, Jafta is now receiving gigs from all directions.
Masuta has an "I can do attitude". Earlier in her life, she organised a beauty pageant called Miss Confidence. She is also a guest lecturer at Wits Business School. Now, she's helping struggling artists and athletes with groceries and money for rent - and she has no deep pockets. She deserves a Bells.
Thabile Mange I Joburg