My Journey
A song made by Remember
My Journey
A song made by Remember
My Journey of Faith, Determination and Purpose
Speech by Johanna Nyadi Baleng
Good day everyone,
My name is Johanna Nyadi Baleng, and it is a great honour and privilege to stand before you today and share my story.
I am a mother, a grandmother, a businesswoman, a community builder, and above all, a woman who has learned that with God, determination, and perseverance, no dream is impossible.
My journey began in a small rural village in Limpopo. I was the eldest of six children, and at the young age of 14, I had to leave home and seek work to help support my family. While other children were enjoying their teenage years and attending school, I was working as a domestic worker.
Many people would have looked at my circumstances and concluded that my future was already decided.
But God had a different plan.
As the Bible says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”
I did not have qualifications.
I did not come from wealth.
I did not have connections.
What I did have was faith, determination, and a dream.
There were many moments when life was difficult. There were times when I felt discouraged, times when I wondered if I would ever achieve my goals. Yet every challenge became a lesson, and every setback became preparation for something greater.
People often ask:
* What if you are a single mother?
* What if you never went to school?
* What if you work in a male-dominated industry?
* What if you fail?
My answer is simple:
What if you succeed?
I learned that failure is not something to fear.
For me, the word FAIL means:
F – First
A – Attempt
I – In
L – Learning
And when life says NO, I remember:
N – Next
O – Opportunity
Every “No” is simply preparation for a better “Yes.”
My journey took me from domestic work to becoming a manager in Mossel Bay. Later, I joined community development initiatives where I worked closely with vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Those experiences reminded me where I came from and strengthened my desire to make a difference.
I wanted to prove that your circumstances do not determine your future.
Through hard work, commitment, and God’s grace, I became a Depot Manager within the recycling industry. I went from having almost nothing to managing operations, creating opportunities, and leading people.
I remember working in difficult environments where safety was a challenge and resources were limited. There were days when even sending reports was difficult because I lacked proper equipment.
Today, I have an office, technology, resources, and a thriving operation.
That transformation did not happen overnight.
It happened one step at a time.
Along the way, I was blessed to receive recognition and awards for my work. I had the opportunity to meet leaders who encouraged me and reminded me that the work I was doing mattered.
One of the greatest lessons I learned is this:
Never allow your current situation to define your destination.
You may start at the bottom, but you do not have to stay there.
I am especially proud that my journey has allowed me to give back to my community. Today, I dedicate time and resources to helping underprivileged children. I provide meals, encouragement, guidance, and support whenever I can.
Why?
Because I know what it feels like to be hungry.
I know what it feels like to feel forgotten.
I know what it feels like to need someone to believe in you.
If I can be that person for even one child, then my journey has meaning.
I dream of creating even more opportunities in the future. I want to employ more people, create sustainable jobs, expand recycling initiatives, and teach communities how to create income while protecting the environment.
I believe that success is not measured by what we achieve for ourselves, but by how many lives we impact along the way.
Today, when I look back, I am grateful.
Grateful to God.
Grateful to every person who believed in me.
Grateful to every challenge that made me stronger.
And grateful to every opportunity that helped shape the woman I am today.
To every person listening today who feels discouraged, overlooked, or limited by their circumstances, I want to leave you with this message:
Never stop believing in yourself.
Your beginning does not determine your ending.
Your past does not define your future.
And your struggles are not the end of your story.
Keep working.
Keep believing.
Keep praying.
Keep dreaming.
Because with faith, perseverance, and determination, anything is possible.
Thank you, and may God bless you all. ❤️
