Veteran South African actress and businesswoman Sophie Ndaba is back on her feet, both literally and figuratively, after a period of significant health challenges and personal setbacks.
While recently recovering from a broken ankle sustained after a fall at her West Rand home, Ndaba is preparing for a speaking engagement at the Women's Empowerment and Sustainable Development Summit in Johannesburg this March. This latest hurdle, however, pales in comparison to the battles she has already overcome.
"I have metal screws holding my ankle together," Ndaba shared, reflecting on her recovery. "I come from far, cement, crutches, wheelchair and now I am having the screws removed from my ankle. I am just grateful to be breathing and able to see another day. My foot will heal." The ankle injury, sustained while trying on a dress, initially left her fearing she might never walk again.
"I was at home putting on a dress in front of the mirror and missed a step," she explained. Six months of limping, hospital visits, and reliance on crutches have led to this upcoming surgery to remove the screws.
"There's always a reason behind every accident or lesson," she mused. "Things really could have been worse. At least I learned to walk again."
Ndaba's journey extends far beyond this recent physical setback. She has been openly candid about her long-term battle with diabetes, a condition she has managed for years. "I have been through it all," she stated. "I have been living with diabetes for years and have managed it well. Yes, there are times when things get tough, but I manage my condition." This includes experiencing episodes of low blood sugar, requiring careful management of her diet and medication. "I've experienced blacking out because of low sugar level but I always make sure I eat at a certain time and always take care of myself," she added.
"We lived in the township, and back then, helpers or live-in nurses weren’t a norm. Both my parents suffered from Type 1 diabetes, which meant that they needed insulin. I played the role of a nurse because I assumed that I knew the disease well enough. Little did I know that my turn was coming. Back then, we didn’t have digital machines to helps us gauge blood sugar levels. So, I had to prick them with a needle every morning before breakfast, and use a colour chart to determine the blood sugar levels."
This early responsibility, coupled with a demanding career, meant Ndaba often neglected her own health. "I was juggling my career and being a caretaker at the same time, not realising that the biggest blow of my life was yet to come," she explained. The simultaneous hospitalisation of both her parents in ICU proved a turning point, forcing her to make difficult financial sacrifices, including selling her house to ensure they received the best possible care.
"My mother was admitted first, followed by my father the very next day. Fortunately, I could afford the hospital bills, although it wasn’t easy because I wasn’t on any medical aid — and so couldn’t add them as beneficiaries. I had bought a house in Protea Glen that I eventually had to rent out so I could stay afloat financially. I ended up having to sell it because I didn’t want my parents to end up in a public hospital. Unfortunately, the money was still not enough."
Tragically, Ndaba’s mother passed away while her father remained in hospital. The emotional and financial strain continued as she cared for her ailing father, who later succumbed to kidney failure. It was during this period that Ndaba herself received her diabetes diagnosis.
"I was prediabetic during this period, but had no idea. One day while walking around a mall in 2015, I suddenly felt dizzy and my vision completely blurred out. I can’t even recall the exact date because I have blocked out all the traumatic events that I experienced in my life. I rushed to the nearest pharmacy and bought a testing kit. I pricked myself, only to find that my blood sugar level was over 20 mg/dl. I immediately checked myself in to a hospital where I was admitted for over two weeks. Just like that, my personal journey with diabetes began," she shared.
The following years were marked by significant weight loss, debilitating symptoms, and the emotional toll of managing her illness while facing public speculation and judgement.
"People are always quick to judge when they haven’t walked a kilometre, or two, in your shoes — nor do they realise how much their judgement affects your healing," she said.
Despite this adversity, Ndaba found strength in connecting with others facing similar challenges. "I started feeling better each time I would receive messages from others telling me that they were going through the same scrutiny in their respective lives," she explained.
"I encouraged them to speak up, and push through the pain. I’ve always wanted to be an ambassador of hope, but realise that I first have to fight for myself. I have to take care of Sophie, and let her heal, too. My mission is to get back to being fabulous. I am an original queen, and I am claiming back my space. It has been hard, but here I am honey! I still have my lashes on, and I’m at my best and God on my side. I keep reminding myself that there is definitely a rainbow after every storm."
Today, Ndaba is not only recovering physically but also thriving professionally. She has returned to her Johannesburg home and resumed her work as an events organiser and motivational speaker.
