JANIE POTGIETER

It was February 1993. I had just finished my Health and Skincare Diploma at the Cape Town Academy for Health and Skincare. Visiting my dying mother who hadn't spoken to anyone for months, I was reading to her from the Bible and telling her about my life in the Western Cape. With a heavy heart, knowing that I will not see her again, I told her that I was offered a partnership at the salon where I did my practical hours but that I was not completely satisfied with the way the salon was run. Not expecting any response, I said to her that I really would like to start my own salon but are so scared that I may not succeed. What happened next still leaves me breathless whenever I think about it: "You will" she said in a clear voice and softly squeezed my hand... The next day I flew back to Cape Town. I sold what valuables I had and started my salon in March 1993.

Primary location: Somerset West United States