Interview with Cheryl-Lynn Freeman

Meet Cheryl-Lynn Freeman. She is no stranger to the socio-economic challenges presented by life on the Cape Flats yet displays her remarkably positive outlook. We interviewed as a young woman doing remarkable things in her community with the hope of inspiring young women all over the country to be the best that they can be. Enjoy and be inspired.

YV: What was it like growing up in the Cape flats and what impact did that have on your life?

CL: It was a pleasant and challenging experience. The spirit of ubuntu and the sense of family in my neighbourhood instilled values that have positively contributed to my character today. I am a giving and caring person because I was surrounded by those kind of people growing up. It never is easy growing up where you living on ends meat or have to sit in the dark when there is no money for electricity, waiting for your parents to come back with borrowed money from neighbours or family.
I recall attending a Model C school for the first time because the school I attended in my area, I came home crying almost every day because the teacher that hit me over my hands daily. My uncle took me on a bicycle from Lavender Hill to Tokai, for my first day of school. I had no idea how I was going to get home, aged 7 at the time; I walked home from Tokai to Lavender Hill. My mom almost got a heart attack when she saw me arrive at home. It is also challenging pursuing your dream in the midst of an environment where people have given up on theirs. An environment rife with gangsterism, women abuse, idleness and a general lack of ambition because of lack of resources and inspiration.
Those challenges and experiences has caused me to have compassion on young people surviving in that environment and it motivates me to this day, to keep pushing and pursuing my dreams, so I can help others to realize theirs. Through my experiences, I came to the realization that poverty in terms of resources does not mean poverty in terms of the gifts and talents that lie within you. You can create wealth in your world by maximizing your potential and seizing the opportunities provided to you.

YV: What creates the passion in you to work with the youth?

CL: Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today in their various spheres of influence. Peer pressure exists because of the power of influence that young people have on one another. Therefore what you invest in young people now determines what they become over time and how they impact their circle of friends. Being a young person myself, I know the value having someone believe in you and coming alongside you to fulfil your dreams.

YV: Who has been your mentor? If you had one, what has he/she taught you?

CL: I have had numerous mentors in my life. My first mentors will always be my parents. My mom pushed me to make a difference and pursue my dreams. Through my dad working hard day and night shifts to ensure I get a good education, taught me the value of commitment and sacrifice to achieve your goals. One world renowned speaker that has continuously kept me motivated through his motivational leadership talks is Dr Myles Munroe. He made me intrinsically aware of my value, sense of purpose I have as a creation of God, the power of vision, planning and planning.
Through the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, I have had 2 amazing mentors Shanaaz Solomon and my mentor I still have today, Anne Mayers. They have taught me to push through against life’s obstacles. They also taught me that your dreams and goals don’t have to change, but be flexible on how you get there. Also the constant inspiration from people like Anthony Farr and Graeme de Bruyn within the Allan Gray Foundation has lifted my spirits at times I thought I was a failure and would never have made it through my studies and excel in life.

YV: What inspires you?

CL: Whatever is good, uplifting and honest, are the things I meditate and focus on. I believe what you feed into, will eventually feed into you.
-Jeremiah 29 verse 11, 12 and 13 is my reason for getting up every single morning and making my 2 cents contribution to the world daily:
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

YV: What did you want to be when you grow up?

CL: I have always wanted to be a business woman and working with numbers.I recall a poem I recited in a matric career oral:
I love Accounting, it keeps my on my toes
I love the words and numbers lined neatly up in rows
I love the sense of order, that is why I am here today,
Business needs my special skills, that is what I always say.

YV: What is your greatest fear?

CL: – My greatest fear was the fear of failure. I grew up as the only child.
– The way I overcame this fear was by having to face it when I studied part-time for the first time and failed my honours. I was depressed for a month, but dried my tears and did it again. I had never failed in my life, so I was devastated, but I passed the 2nd time.
– I then learnt that the biggest failure in life is not failure itself, but the failure in trying.

YV: What makes you happy?

CL:  Seeing others happy and a good yummy chocolate after a long day.

YV: What is your motto in life?

CL:  “It always seems impossible until it is done” – Dr Nelson Mandela”

YV: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

CL:  I see myself having started up my own resource centre for NPOs and businesses. Helping them to set up various business structures to ensure a smooth running business or organization. I also would like to set up learning centers in impoverished communities, which would be a place for students to come and learn in a study indusive environment. I stayed 30 seconds from a taxi rank and around the corner from the shebeen. When it came to exam time, I had to stay up late, when it was quiet, to be able to study or had to go to a public library.

YV: What was the greatest moment of your life?

CL: Making the decision to commit my life to God and live for His purpose for my life. It was liberating. Also my graduation day, making history in my life, to be the first person to achieve a university degree, but certainly won’t be the last!

YV: What are your interests?

CL: I love music and ‘happy’ food (i.e. chocolate, Italian food and pastries)I enjoy tutoring accounting and mentoring students. I love being on radio and having the privilege of positively influencing people over the airwaves. I love nature; it is something I can enjoy that won’t leave me broke.

YV: Who are the people that support you in the work you do?

CL: At present, that would be my family and the special people at Cape Community Fm, All About Mzansi Media and the Sing for the King team. A couple that goes by the name of Tasnema and Cornelius Prins that believed in the Sing for the King community project and continues to show their support.

YV: What is ‘All About Mzansi Information Services’ about?

CL: The company is about providing information regarding government, business and community online, at www.allaboutmzansicom. It came about as a result of my struggle to find simple information on an easy to use online platform to access that information. We currently boast website traffic of 30 000 to 40 000 visitors a month. Another leg to All About Mzansi Media is a media production side, involving video production services.

YV: Describe the feeling you get when students and young people you have worked with become successful?

CL: It brings me to tears, as I know the value in people believing in you to achieve your goals and dreams. That is how I got to where I am today, through those that supported and believed in me.

YV: What challenges have you come across in doing what you do?

CL: As a young person with creative ideas, I have had people either tried to shoot it down or discredit it, especially when they doing or contributing nothing. I have initiated projects in spite of the critics. A dog only barks at a moving car, so critics you will have with you always, it is important how you respond to them, which makes or breaks you.
Many have looked down on me because of my race, sex and age. I used that as my motivation to succeed and continue to push through against all odds. I have surrounded myself with people that support me and mentor me, so that I can prevent the mistakes that others have made and shorten the journey to success.
I have also had financial challenges, but have continued to be hungry for success and make a plan or have developed patience when it might take a little longer to achieve my goals.

YV: I understand you are into radio and you present a show on CCFM (even if you are not anymore) what is the show about?

CL: It is a Sunday morning inspirational show called Joy in the Morning. People that tune in can enjoy inspirational urban gospel music and be inspired through uplifting quotes and stories. It is from 7.30am till 9.30am every Sunday. I also have a kiddies slot from 7.30am to 8am, where I am known as the ‘Aunty Cheryl’.

YV: What would your message be to young South Africans growing up in harsh environments?

CL: The greatest hunger you need to develop is the hunger to become something, to maximize your potential and rise above your circumstances. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond. It’s about attitude and a positive one no matter what! Have the crying/depressing moments, but get up and move on and up.
Discover your purpose and passions and pursue it with all you have. The saddest thing is not death, but life without a purpose.
Poverty in terms of resources does not mean poverty in terms of the gifts and talents that lie within you. You can create wealth in your world by maximizing your potential and seizing the opportunities provided to you.
Don’t try making a difference in the world, but your world. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are, right now!

Mbali Radebe