From street vendor, to businesswoman and community mentor, Siphokazi Thiam wants young people to know that there is always hope.
Businesswoman, mom of six, and mentor to many, Siphokazi Thiam is one of a few rapid transformational therapists in the country. When she’s not running her businesses or taking care of her family, she spends her time coaching children in rural schools and orphanages. Her goal is to provide them with the tools they need to get out of what she calls a ‘poverty mindset’.
Siphokazi grew up in rural Eastern Cape, and for as long as she can remember, she was a provider for her younger siblings. As a young girl, she was abused both mentally and physically and she describes her childhood as something she simply had to survive. When she got married, she moved to Kokstad, and desperate to make a life and home for herself, she started selling shoes on the side of the road. Over time, her business grew and she eventually began work in the tourism industry, where she has thrived. Now an award-winning entrepreneur and the owner of multiple guesthouses, she wants to share her story with others.
In 2018, after winning awards for her achievements in tourism, Siphokazi began mentoring small business owners and providing workshops in rural tourism development. It was at this point that she discovered a passion for this kind of work, and she decided to pursue her studies in business coaching. Around this time, as her life path began to shift, Siphokazi says her childhood trauma resurfaced. In the process of dealing with this, she discovered rapid transformational therapy, and completed her qualification in the practice. Now, she is passionate about helping people process their own trauma and wants to uplift people who feel stuck in hopeless situations. “It’s not easy to convince people in rural areas,” she says. “But I want people to know that there’s always a way out.”
In 2020, after a difficult divorce, Siphokazi moved to Ballito for a fresh start. She is currently working on a book that shares her personal story, as well as practical tools and tips for dealing with past trauma and life’s challenges in general. “I know what it’s like to have to ask for food,” she says. “I know how it feels to not know what I am going to eat tomorrow. But we have the power to get out of any situation. We are the creators of our own destiny.”
Siphokazi has plans to use her qualification in rapid transformational therapy and coaching to reach children who are struggling, as well as people in prisons. Despite a difficult background and countless challenges, she has found peace, maintained her strong spiritual faith, and is excited to share what she has learned on her journey with others. “I love Ballito,” she smiles. “I love the people here. This is where I have found a community
and I have built a home for myself and my kids. There is so much love here.”
What is rapid transformational therapy?
Rapid transformational therapy (RTT) combines the principles of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. The aim of the therapy is to access the subconscious mind to uncover and change self-limiting beliefs. It helps to identify the root cause of underlying issues or behaviours in the healing process.
Details: Siphokazi Thiam, 072 388 7752, @siphokazithiam
