“Keep Learning”: Cape Town Woman Shares Her Inspiring Journey From Domestic Worker to IT Technician

• A City of Cape Town cleaner shared how she accidentally shut down the entire IT system while cleaning a server room
• Thembeka Matshanga's curiosity and willingness to learn led her from sweeping floors to becoming an IT technician
• The inspiring video gained over 27,000 views as South Africans celebrated her 20-year transformation story

A Cape Town woman has warmed hearts across South Africa after sharing how she transformed from a domestic worker to an IT technician through pure determination and curiosity.

The City of Cape Town shared Thembeka Matshanga's incredible story on 6th August on their Facebook page @CityofCT to celebrate the upcoming Women's Day. Her journey began 20 years ago when she started working as a cleaner for the City of Cape Town, not even knowing which department employed her.

In the video, Thembeka explains how everything changed when she decided to clean a dusty room filled with cables.

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"I took out the cables that were lying around and disconnected some cables, then the city went down. People couldn't send emails," she revealed with a laugh.

After accidentally shutting down the entire city's IT system, managers called her to explain that she had been working in the IT department's server room - "the heart of the City of Cape Town." Rather than being angry, her colleague Linda took time to explain what the equipment did and encouraged her to apply for leadership training when opportunities arose.

"A few weeks later, I asked one of the guys working there what this was because I never knew anything about it. Linda explained to me what it was and told me there was leadership coming. I must keep my eyes open for that leadership," Thembeka shared.

The city sent her for training, and her transformation began. Twenty years later, she now works as an IT technician, calling it her "superpower." Her advice to others is simple:

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"As human beings we should be able to learn. Learn as much as you can - it's possible."

Cape Town celebrates Thembeka's success

The inspiring video received over 870 reactions and 83 comments from people moved by her story.

@Audrey Brown wrote:

"The manager who didn't fire her for making a mistake whilst doing her job. Her curiosity and willingness to learn. Linda, who had fed her interest and reached a hand down to help her up. This is how miracles happen."

@Natacia Pedreiro joked:

"I removed some cables 🤣🤣 love it! Especially love how they sent her to learn IT!! Well done, City of Cape Town, and Thembeka, you are a rockstar!"

@Ethel Marsh

"Well done, one mistake didn’t define you 👍🌺"

@Thandazani Doc Johnson revealed:

"She was my mentor during my internship 17 years ago, very sweet and knowledgeable. Keep shining, Sis Tembi!"

@Erika Fisher

"Well done, Linda! If only all our children who desire to work and learn, can get opportunities such as this.❤️"

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@Viance Du Plooy

"From removing cables to learning cables... I just loveeee it!"

Women's Day celebrates strength and progress

According to the South African government, Women's Day on the ninth of August commemorates when 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1956 to protest against pass laws. Led by heroes like Sophia Williams-De Bruyn and Lilian Ngoyi, these brave women left over 100,000 signatures with Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom before singing the famous protest song:

"Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock."

National Women's Day became an official celebration in 1994, honouring women's contributions to society and reflecting on advances in women's rights.

Watch the Facebook video below:

Other domestic worker stories making headlines

• Briefly News recently reported on a stay-at-home mum who shared her unique home rules for maintaining positive relationships with domestic workers, but what made her approach so special had people calling her an inspiration.
• A domestic worker's humorous request for a new car after a minor accident with her employer's vehicle showed the close bond between helper and boss, though what she actually asked for left social media users amazed.
• A woman called police on her domestic worker after discovering a shocking theft attempt before the helper's planned trip to Lesotho, but the quantity of stolen items found had South Africans completely speechless.

Source: Briefly News