Elizabeth Davids

    Testimonial

My name is Elizabeth Davids. I was born on Terra du Lux, a farm near Franschhoek in the Western Cape.  I am the 6th of nine children. My mother was a domestic worker and my father worked on the farm as a labourer.

I went to school at the age of six and schooled up to standard 1 (grade 3). I was nine years old when I left school. I left school because I had to look after my sisters, my brother and my older brother's two children. I also had to fetch water and fire wood, scour pots and wash the dishes. There was no extra time to read and write at home.

I did not want to leave school when I was nine years old. I loved school and all my friends. I realized that I should also do something for myself, so I started reading Afrikaans books with my little sisters. I also started knitting and the two smaller ones taught me how to read knitting patterns. I could then knit my child's jerseys.

Luckily with Simonsvlei’s Sima Kunye programme, I was able to learn to speak, read and write in English. Now I am confident and able to converse comfortably in English and Afrikaans.

When I think back on my life, I realize that I have learned many good things. I am a good wife and mother. I worked very hard to put them through school. I pray for God to protect them every day. There are four of them, namely three boys and one girl. I love each one of them very much.