I'm Happy Just As I Am

The terrible burns she suffered as a baby may have left her scarred on the outside, but Itumeleng has risen above her challenges to become a motivational speaker, businesswoman, and author

- Khosi Biyela

SHE’S used to people staring at her wherever she goes. The scars that cover her face, arms and torso have always made her feel like an outcast. Many people with such life-changing injuries would hide away from the prying world – but not this feisty, determined woman.

Itumeleng Sekhu was just a baby when she was badly burnt. She lost an ear, fingers and her right arm after a candle fell over and set their house on fire.

But while fire may have ravaged parts of her body, she’s embracing it and turning it into one of the many enterprises that occupy her life.

She’s started a candle-making business. “I had a phobia of candles and I wanted to face that fear and get over it,” Itumeleng tells DRUM.

She’s employed a relative to help her make the candles. “We custom-make them when ordered.”

The 31-year-old is also expanding her business by starting her own bra line, and a wine brand. “There’s a song by Hillsong Worship called New Wine. No matter what you go through in life, you’ll be a brand-new wine,” she says. She’s still in the process of naming her wine business, but it has a spiritual meaning for her. After a traumatic childhood that saw her in and out of hospital for treatment for her third-degree burns, she wants to celebrate life. “This is the time for me to be something brand new. I believe everyone was born for such a time, to take a deep breath.”

She’s living her life to the fullest – but it hasn’t been easy for her to get to this point.

Itumeleng has had 104 surgeries since the fire and has tried to commit suicide three times. “I had low self-esteem. I thought I’d never find a boyfriend as a young girl,” she says.

“I didn’t think I’d ever have a normal life.”