In the village of Ga-Phooko, there was a special kind of magic that hung in the air whenever Edith Masupa’s father returned home from faraway Johannesburg. As a general worker at Wits University, he didn’t come home every day, but when he did, it was an event the whole family anticipated. Edith and her siblings would wait at the gate or perch on the wall, eyes peeled on the road, eagerly watching for him to appear. The entire village seemed to sense their excitement; neighbours would wave, children playing nearby would join in, and the occasional cow meandered past, adding to the familiar rhythm of village life. But nothing was more thrilling than catching that first glimpse of their father returning, knowing he’d brought a bit of the world back with him each time.
Every arrival was like opening a treasure chest. There were exciting gadgets – mini stereo systems, tapes of music they’d never heard before – but also things that would help shape their futures: books, English dictionaries, things that, while less glamorous to children’s eyes, would become stepping stones on their life journey. Their father’s gifts were more than items; they were symbols of his faith in the power of education, a legacy he knew would outlast the stereos and games. His “obsession” with English, as Edith jokingly remembers, puzzled her at the time, but it planted the seeds of her love for learning and language, instilling values that she would come to embrace deeply.
As Edith grew, her parents’ belief in education and resilience became cornerstones of her character. Her mother, though she’d never had the chance to attend school, had a quiet wisdom that anchored the family. With unwavering support, she encouraged Edith to persevere, even when times were hard. When Edith unexpectedly became a mother herself while still in school, her mother didn’t falter. She believed in Edith’s potential and reminded her that setbacks didn’t define her path. Later, when Edith was accepted to study law at the University of the Free State – a bittersweet moment that meant leaving her young child behind – her mother stepped in, assuring her she’d care for her grandchild so Edith could pursue her studies. With her mother’s strength behind her, Edith packed up and took a leap into the unknown, knowing her family was there to catch her if she fell.
The journey was challenging, marked by late-night study sessions and moments of self-doubt, but Edith’s memories of those childhood moments at the gate, waiting for her father to come home with a new book or a useful word in English, kept her grounded. That support system was the backbone of her success, a constant reminder that she wasn’t on this path alone. Her determination to succeed wasn’t just about her dreams; it was a way to honour her family’s sacrifices, their belief in her, and the values they’d instilled in her from the beginning.
Today, Edith’s role as a legal assistant at the Consolidated Employers’ Organisation (CEO) reflects that same commitment to education, resilience, and advocacy. CEO’s mission of supporting employers with a personalised touch resonates with her, reminding her of her family’s support through each step of her journey. Her work now allows her to advocate for others, ensuring that employers receive the fair guidance they need to navigate labour disputes—an extension of the values her family instilled in her as a child.
In her free time, Edith cherishes quiet moments, often spent watching docuseries or relaxing with her family. Her friends describe her as determined and supportive, the kind of person who shows up when it counts, just as her family always has for her. Her vision for the future is clear: she dreams of becoming a Dispute Resolution Official, confident in her role and continuing to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.
For Edith, those early days of waiting by the gate for her father’s return, anticipating his next surprise, have left a lasting imprint. Each gift, word, and lesson from her parents built the foundation on which she now stands—a foundation of resilience, education, and the knowledge that with the right support, any dream is within reach.