Barbara, 52 – ‘The 50 Over 50 Women’s Portrait Campaign’
Barbara, 52
Where are you from, and where do you currently live?
I was born in Durban, South Africa, and currently live in Ekhuruleni (SA)
If your friends were to describe you, what would they say?
Vigilant, kind, and fun-loving
What is your favourite quote or saying?
“This too shall PASS”
What would you say you are most proud of?
The courage to follow my vision board story from crossing the continent to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro-Tanzania, walking across the Kalahari Desert – Botswana, and sharing in our local communities and across our continent,
solo backpacking Mozambique for my 50th and sharing the power of Vision Board through Leading From Within across the continent and community.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Pause.
Put the mask on yourself first – know what sustains you
Be courageous to enjoy SOLITUDE
Sit in discomfort and be surrendered
Life is Harsh, learn to dance and stay connected to SOURCE
Die Empty, as light as a feather
What is a goal or dream you still wish to accomplish?
I wish to be 100% booked out with “LEADING FROM WITHING” Vision sessions, building communities across the continent
and across various industries to unleash dreamers.
Besides salsa, I definitely would like to explore a docufilm as another genre of storytelling.
Enjoy the remaining 7M’s tourer of Africa: for Motherhood – Madagascar, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique…with 4 more to still explore while reflecting on my motherhood journey.
Complete writing #TheAfricaISEE series which includes my life lessons from the law, widowhood, and travels.
What are your thoughts on ageing?
As I understand the African way, I see more and more the great responsibility as an elder for wisdom and as keeper of the story so I am in reverence of this season of my life.
I am aware that self-care is a non-negotiable for me from spiritual to mental to physical and financial and this has my attention.
Ageing is so beautiful and affords me some special graces which I am receiving
open-handed.
I have surrounded myself with great elders and I keep learning while I am becoming a teacher.
Mortality is humbling and keeps me walking close to God, a deep spiritual relationship.
What did you enjoy most about The 50 Over 50 Women’s Portrait Campaign? And how did the experience leave you feeling?
It was on my list to do a photo shoot to mark the beginning of new life chapters after pain-filled 40s. The portrait session was cathartic, with teary moments,
laughter, and a reintroduction of my essence and beauty. I remember hurling after the experience, literally a purge of so much I’ve had to carry, being released.
I loved every minute of it, and every moment of witnessing my story.
NEW BEGINNINGS.