Rags to Riches: Denise Mhlanga

Written by Brendah Nyakudya
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 14:29

Growing up, Denise Mhlanga always knew she wanted to be a writer. Her journey to become an award-winning specialist property journalist had some unexpected twists and forced her to make some hard decisions – but it has all been worth it, she says.

You have a very inspirational story. Who motivated you in life?

My late sister was an extremely inspirational person who encouraged us all to get an education. My mother was also very supportive, and I feel her love instilled a sense of confidence, amazing strength and wisdom in me that has been worth its weight in gold in all the things I did in my life.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

How much I loved books! I would read anything I could get my hands on. In a way books provided me with an opportunity to dream and enhance my imagination. I was filled with an avid desire to know more about the world – not just my immediate surroundings but also places far and wide. I tend to think I was born with ink in my veins. I just had to learn to use the ink so that it would leave impressive marks on any page.

How did you become a domestic worker?

I never got an opportunity to finish my matric. I yearned to complete that stage of my education, so I started working towards it. I obviously still had to work and was employed at a restaurant at the time. I realised I wouldn’t have enough time and freedom to study working in the restaurant, so I decided to become a full-time domestic worker. In that way, I managed to pay my school fees and also had enough time to study.

What mental process went into that decision?

It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew what I wanted to be in life, and I was desperate to get there at any cost. For me, being a domestic worker was a means to an end, and once I got into the position, surprisingly, I found it was a breeze for me. I am an obsessive neat freak, so I was good at my job, and it forced me to be disciplined and focused on my studies.

What happened after you matriculated?

It was a wonderful day when I passed my matric. With that out of the way, I enrolled for a course in media studies and journalism. It was tough as I had to free up more time on my schedule, but since it was something I loved and enjoyed it ended up not being that hard. I would work during the day and study at in the afternoons and evenings. I took study leave as well.

Did your employers support you?

I had very supportive employers. In a way they were like a second pair of parents. There was always that level of respect for each other’s boundaries and room to share. To this day, we still have that solid relationship.

What has been the highlight of your career after you finished your matric?

My writing career began as a cadet journalist at the Citizen, and then I went on to work for a local community newspaper, the Bedfordview/Edenvale News. But it was in 2009 when I started training on a property magazine at realestateweb.co.za that I found my passion. My efforts were rewarded when I was not only offered a full-time position but also went on to win the South African Property Owners’ Association Property News Journalist of the Year Award for 2009! It was a validation of all the hard decisions I’ve ever made, and the late nights spent pouring over textbooks were all worth it.

You obviously had to overcome many obstacles. What advice would you give to others in a similar position?

If you always tend to see life’s obstacles, you’re never going to attempt anything. Keep your eye on the end goal. Growing up, I always wanted to be journalist. I allowed myself to do other things in between, but I knew I was eventually going to find a way of telling stories. The tricky part was that no-one in my family had followed that career path before, and so for the most part really, I was on my own, making my own rules. But I believe that if you open yourself to life, you will be immensely surprised with what you see, learn and experience.

Besides a support structure, what would you say are the other key elements for a successful career?

Good networking skills. Once I started studying, I networked quite a lot and met many people in the media industry. Some gave me valuable advice and information on how to stay on top of the game. I’d like to think it cuts both ways. I always say if I meet you once, I would like to leave footprints in your life. Imagine the footprints I would leave if I spent many moments sharing what I know and learning from you as well.

Who do you think some people never get to a place where they realise their own potential?

Most people never realise that they have the power to improve their lives. And if people realise they have that power, they don’t act on it, for fear I guess of failing and what others will say. We live in a society in which we want so badly to belong and will take easy paths just to be a part of something while neglecting what we really want to do or become. People can only help you once you take the first step. Be brave and face the unknown! Unfortunately, we often become too comfortable in our zones and limit our abilities and the world around us.


We each have a calling – a special talent or skill – and there aren’t many people who manage to answer to their calling. At times, it is not necessarily the fear of failing that stops us in our tracks but the power of what we’re capable of doing and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. We wonder if we will be good enough to handle it all.

What can we do to empower people to “be more”?

As a society we can perhaps start with our own families and encourage our children to value education. We need to instil values that resonate with what we do. Think about mentoring someone – I have for instance been a mentor to a Grade 11 learner for the past four years. There are people out there who will benefit from your time, knowledge and expertise. If you have some money to give away, there are always other people who really could use it. Or if you don’t have money but you’d like to give, donate some of the books that you no longer need. These are just some of the things we can do to give back and help our communities.

What issue concerns you the most about the current state of education in the country?

I think as with other African countries South Africa has a high level of illiteracy. It breaks my heart to witness a dying culture of reading, and many schoolchildren are battling with this. As a country, we are not yet at a level where the basic education needs of school children are matched with their level of understanding.

What’s next for you?

At the end of the day I am still a child at heart who looks at the stars and wonders whether they look the same in another place and what that place would be like. My life is about a journey of self discovery, the adventure of life, love and everything in between.