In the heart of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, a young girl named Thandile Nomkitha Butana began a journey that would defy every limitation placed upon her. Blind since the age of seven, raised by her grandparents after the loss of her father, and schooled miles away from home, Thandile’s story is not just one of survival, it’s a testament to vision, resilience, and purpose.
Despite systemic barriers, from inaccessible textbooks to institutional discrimination, Thandile passed matric, earned her degrees from the University of Cape Town, University of the Free State, and UNISA, and carved a path in the disability advocacy space.
Her voice became a beacon for inclusion, her work a lifeline for others navigating similar terrain.
But her dream was always bigger. At thirteen, she imagined herself conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, 87 kilometers of grit, altitude, and soul.
In November 2024, that dream stirred to life when a foundation invited blind climbers to take on the challenge. Thandile was the first to raise her hand.
Now, as a widowed mother to a nine-year-old son, she’s turning her Forever Living business into a fundraising engine. Selling organic products isn’t just about income, it’s about independence, dignity, and climbing toward a legacy that proves blindness is not the absence of vision.“I always worked hard for my achievements,” she says. “Donations are welcome, but support for my business means I climb with pride—and my son climbs with me.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3xs1m5wHSA
Meet CreatePreneurAfrica _ SA’s Thandile Nomkitha Butana Climbing Beyond Sight: The Unstoppable Journey of Born to Rise
Thandile Nomkitha Butana was born in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa, a blind Black woman whose life has been a continuous climb toward dignity, independence, and impact. Losing her sight at age seven, she began school far from home, navigating isolation, discrimination, and the absence of accessible learning materials. Her father passed away when she was just three, and her mother. pregnant and overwhelmed—entrusted her to her grandparents, who became her pillars of strength.
“I passed matric against all odds,” she writes, “despite discrimination, lack of textbooks due to the Copyright Act, and many obstacles due to disability.”
Education Against the Odds
Thandile’s academic journey is a masterclass in perseverance:
- Undergraduate Degree – University of Cape Town
- Postgraduate Studies – University of the Free State and UNISA
- Barrier – Lack of accessible reading material throughout her studies
Despite these challenges, she emerged with qualifications that empowered her to work in the disability advocacy space. Her brief stint in government revealed systemic gaps in accommodating blind professionals, reinforcing her commitment to inclusive change.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A1EHc3XwL/The Kilimanjaro Dream
Since the age of 13, Thandile dreamed of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. In November 2024, that dream stirred to life when a foundation invited blind climbers to take on the challenge. She was the first to raise her hand.
“I always imagined myself achieving the 87 kilometres. I didn’t know how, but I felt it was possible.”
Her climb is not just symbolic—it’s a declaration of possibility for every disabled person who dares to dream.
Loss and Reinvention
In March 2023, Thandile lost her husband. As a widowed mother to a nine-year-old son, she faced financial hardship and emotional upheaval. In May 2025, she began selling organic products from Forever Living, not just as a business, but as a lifeline.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B8nYXgf25/https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BMfv2bgFP/“I was drowning in debt. Everything went messy. I had to do something to make a living for me and my son.”
Forever Living: Her Fundraising Engine
Thandile sees her Forever Living business as more than income, it’s her fundraising tool to make the Kilimanjaro climb a reality. She invites supporters to:
- Buy her products to support her journey
- Share her story to amplify her mission
- Sponsor her climb to help her and her son rise together
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSDG1DRRy
“Donations are welcome, but I always worked hard for my achievements. Support for my business means I climb with pride,and my son climbs with me.”
@emihle2015
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