She’s a visionary entrepreneur, business coach, and philanthropist whose life journey reflects extraordinary resilience and grace. After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of her beloved son Akhona in 2017, Ruth chose to transform her pain into purpose. She founded the Akhona Teens Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting education initiatives and mentoring teenagers in her rural village.
As a serial entrepreneur, Ruth has built successful businesses across diverse sectors, including logistics, industrial cleaning, equipment rentals, and cleaning detergent manufacturing, creating jobs and opportunities in underserved communities. Her work as a Business Coach has empowered countless women in SMMEs (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises), in rural areas, equipping them to build sustainable businesses and overcome barriers.
Ruth’s Spiritual journey through grief also gave birth to the Lighthouse Christian Retreat and Guesthouse, a serene sanctuary where people can reconnect with God, replenish their souls, and rediscover life’s meaning. For Ruth, the Lighthouse stands as a symbol of hope for anyone navigating life’s storms—a place to heal, reflect, and be renewed.
A woman of Faith, vision, and compassion, Ruth is passionate about unlocking the potential of rural entrepreneurs and leaving a legacy of light. Her story is a reminder that even in life’s darkest valleys, we can rise again – stronger- and help others find their way.
The pain of losing a child is unimaginable. How have you made it this far?
Losing my son Akhona was the most devastating moment of my life. There are no words that can truly describe the depth of the pain I felt. It was the most trying season for me and my family. I asked, “Why me?” not once, but many, many times. I doubted my faith and, at some point, thought that God didn’t care.
My life’s journey shaped me into the woman I am today: living and leading with vision, purpose, and impact.
