BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Former journalist and queen of stockpilers, Ncumisa Ndelu, is renowned for advocating for women’s power as consumers. She uses social media as a safe space for women to share tips on bargains from anything from household goods to holidays. Despite wearing many hats, motherhood is her best duty ever.
I’m a traveler at heart. I grew up wanting to travel with my mom but she was afraid of heights and we could never go anywhere exciting. However, on her deathbed she insisted that I see the world. This is the gift I am passing on to my kids.
I am the Deputy Director: Service Excellence and Transformation in the Department of Economic Development Tourism & Environment in KZN. This happened by coincidence but who better to serve in that space but a traveller?
Growing up in the Eastern Cape, visiting KZN was a serious thing. I want the province to regain that status and the only way to do that is to ensure that KZN products meet the best service excellence standards at an affordable price and ensure that the environment is conducive.
Government has many programs to boost domestic tourism and get the sector back to pre-Covid-19 levels. However, I believe we also need to encourage ordinary people to travel through their own provinces and country. That is what the sector needs more than anything else.
I find satisfaction from addressing social issues and changing things I don’t like in my community.
My love for travel and for women influenced me to form the Facebook group From RSA to the world. Whenever I posted about my travels I noticed women seemed to think travel is for the elite. I wanted to show them that that travel is for any budget and I started this platform to encourage women to travel. Women do a lot for everyone but hardly do things for themselves. My intention was to show them that travel is not an option but a must.
Not in my wildest dreams did I expect the page to grow so much! In its first year the group got a mention in Parliament. I couldn’t have imagined that. Women source inspiration from each other, plan and go on trips as families and friends because of the group. I get most satisfaction hearing from women who were inspired by the group to take their first trip.
The Facebook group, 1 Family 1 Stockpile was born out of sheer irritation from watching women spend their money as if they did not work for it.
I wanted to teach women about the power they hold when it comes to their money. Along the way I identified other needs and addressed them to the best of my ability and sought help where I needed to. The group is a success because no one speaks down to the next person. We are just women learning and growing from each other’s experiences.
I’m the kind of tourist who ensures that first and foremost the holiday is within my budget. I use the same tips I give to Stockpilers.
I travel when it makes the most sense financially unless the destination is cheap. I live a 3-star life at home so I’m definitely not looking to book any 5 star hotel away from home. I enjoy new experiences, new food, cheap shopping, learning new languages.
I go on holiday when the bug bites. I will drag my family on a random weekend away.
I recently went on a 10-day trip to Dubai with my girlfriends. Dubai is Dubai, but add girlfriends to it and it becomes magical. On the last night we decided to go out one last time and took over our Uber’s sound system, and ‘turned up’. We played Sister Bettina and the driver was pleasantly surprised. I’m just glad he didn’t crash the vehicle.
When I returned I took my girls on a weekend away to celebrate my daughter birthday.
My favourite mantra is that travel is the only expense that pays you back with interest!
Losing my mom is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m far from being over it.
Apart from what I do, my other career highlights were working as a stringer for the BBC and Reuters, interviewing President Thabo Mbeki’s mom and serving in the office of Weziwe Thusi.
