Nosipho Precious Gibe, originally from Gugulethu and Middledrift, has been visiting schools in the region to encourage learners not to give up on their dreams. Last month, she read extracts from her Xhosa book Ubomi Nguqulukubhode (Life Has Its Ups and Downs) to pupils at Tom Place Primary School in Middledrift.
The book draws from Gibe’s personal experience growing up in poverty and being raised by various relatives. She aims to motivate young people to persevere despite difficult circumstances.
“This book is here to motivate young people not to let the difficult situations they face determine their future,” Gibe said during the reading session. She also shared that completing matric helped her secure better employment.
A 14-year-old learner from Tom Place Primary read part of the book aloud to her classmates and expressed inspiration from Gibe’s determination. “The lessons were for us, but we will take them to our parents and encourage them not to give up in life,” she told GroundUp reporters present at the session.
The story behind the book is rooted in Gibe’s childhood struggles. Raised by different relatives and starting work early to support her family, she returned to education at the age of 42 and passed matric, defying odds against her.
Gibe, now in her seventies, published Ubomi Nguqulukubhode at age 65 and is reportedly working on a sequel. Her visits to schools like Tom Place Primary continue to bring a message of hope and resilience to young learners in Middledrift and surrounding areas.
While the details come largely from a single GroundUp report and await further independent verification, the story highlights the intersection of literacy, perseverance, and community upliftment on the Cape Flats.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor developments, including Gibe’s ongoing work and further community impact, to provide updates as new information is confirmed.