"The Work Never Ends": Domestic Worker Describes 18 Years of Cleaning to Support Sons

• Nthabeleng Sawa has dedicated the past 18 years to working as a domestic worker, balancing the demands of her job while single-handedly raising her three sons
• In an exclusive interview with Briefly News, she shared how her mother inspired her to value hard work and independence from a young age
• Nthabeleng was named one of 2025 Briefly News Women of Wonder: The Real Housekeepers of Mzansi, and continues to carry out her duties with remarkable patience
• Her dream is to build a home, and she pursues it with quiet strength and resilience that go beyond education or recognition

For nearly two decades, Nthabeleng Sawa has been waking up early each day, putting on her uniform, and stepping into a role that many overlook but few could endure. She is a domestic worker, a single mother, and a survivor of heartbreak. Her strength cannot be measured by qualifications or titles but by her endurance, resilience, and the deep love she has for her three sons.

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Nthabeleng’s story is not about victimhood but about quiet power. Born in the Free State, she was raised by a mother who also worked in domestic service. She explains,

“I learned from my mother that even if you did not go to school, there was always a job waiting if you were willing to use your hands.”

Early lessons and independence

From a young age, she learned the value of hard work and self-reliance. Her journey began in Grade 9 when she took a holiday job to buy herself a pair of shoes, an experience that sparked her sense of independence and made her mother proud. That work ethic has carried her through life’s toughest challenges, including being a single parent to three boys after her husband left five years ago. Despite receiving no support from him, she continues to provide for her children without complaint, ensuring they have everything they need.

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“I was in Grade 9 and wanted a pair of shoes. When school closed, I went to work and saved money to buy them myself. My mother was so proud. He does not help with anything, but I do not complain. I work for my boys. Their school supplies, clothes, and food on the table, those are my responsibilities.”

Challenges of being a domestic worker

Nthabeleng acknowledges that her work as a cleaner is physically exhausting and often thankless. Tasks like washing ceilings and walls, on top of endless ironing, can make her feel undervalued. Yet, despite the challenges, she takes pride in her work and approaches it with dedication and care, knowing it’s the best way she can support her family.

“I only do cleaning, but I do not like washing ceilings and walls. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed because the work never ends, there is still so much ironing to do. I am not educated, so this is the only job I am good at. But I do it properly and with love.”

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Building a future one step at a time

Nthabeleng’s dream is to one day own a home, and she’s already taking steady steps toward it by buying building materials whenever she can. She isn’t waiting for help; she’s building her future with determination and grit. Through all the hardship, she remains a voice of encouragement to other women, reminding them to stay focused, patient, and rooted in their purpose, especially when working for others becomes emotionally taxing.

“I am already buying materials. You must be patient. Working for others is hard, but you cannot lose yourself in it. You must remember why you are doing it, for yourself and your children. To anyone who says they will never wash another woman’s toilet, I say this, I wash another woman’s underwear and here I am, still standing.”

For 18 years, Nthabeleng has worked quietly in the background, often feeling as if her worth was measured in just a few cents. But her story, her voice, and her strength tell a very different tale.

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This Women’s Month, Nthabeleng’s journey is honoured as part of Briefly News' 2025 project titled Women of Wonder, The Real Housekeepers of Mzansi. This project shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes who keep South African homes running through their hard work and dedication.

We celebrate Nthabeleng not because she became famous or wealthy, but because she stood tall through life’s storms. Because she shows us that dignity is not in a job title but in the heart behind the work. To every young woman who thinks some jobs are beneath them, Nthabeleng says:

“Love what you are doing. If you do not like your job, it will not be good for you either. And to South Africa, we are working. We are building. We are strong. See us.”

3 Other Briefly News stories about Women of Wonder

• Beauty Katiyo, better known as Gogo Mujubheki online, has been a domestic worker for 15 years, building her social media presence with helpful home remedies.
• Thobeka Ntini-Makununika is a former domestic worker who defied the limitations society placed on women like her to earn a PhD.
• Mbali Nhlapo is a housekeeper best known for her viral household cleaning hacks, and she uses her expertise to empower domestic workers as a housekeeping trainer.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News