Ten years ago, she was a young single mother - struggling - studying to become a teacher. Since then, much has changed.
Politically, a focus on improving education has meant that teachers are now receiving better training, support and benefits from government. Schools are incentivised to send their teachers for training courses in counselling, basic first aid, financial management, as well as expanding their teaching repertoire. She receives a good housing subsidy, medical aid and pension plan.
As a result, she is economically secure. Her employment benefits and salary leave her with enough post-tax income to pay bond repayments, rates and her son's school fees, as well as eat enough good food every day, cover any other basic expenses and save some money.
Educationally, she has a bachelors degree, and is able to continue her studies part time. Improvements in the Internet and other telecommunications infrastructure have helped to make correspondence learning much more effective and viable, and many more young people - many of whom are women - have access to higher education.
She lives with her mother, sister and 10 year old son in their home in Khayelitsha, and her son
is receiving high quality education at a local public school. She is respected in her community for her committed service to educating the youth.
Her life in 2020 is not a glamourous one.
But it is a dignified one.
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