Mpoomy’s story and journey is one that has resonated with many people from all works of life.

Written by Sizwe Shabalala

We are currently living in a time where more and more people are finding ways to share their stories online while at the same time, making a living from it. Someone who seems to have figured out the perfect balance between sharing one’s truth for the world to see while simultaneously empowering others to heal is Nompumelelo [Mpoomy] Ledwaba. With over half a million followers on just Instagram alone, Mpoomy has managed to form a community built on truth and faith. Furthermore, she has just been globally recognised to be part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices 2022; a campaign aimed at spotlighting and empowering Black YouTube creators from all over the world. However, even though she has become one of South Africa’s beloved content creators and all-round digital entrepreneur, her journey has been somewhat unconventional to an extent. 

When she made the decision to drop out of her accounting degree, she wasn’t dropping out to be a content creator. Back then, the world of influencer marketing and content creation was still very much a new concept in South Africa or at the very least, we had not seen many people make a living from it.

“I had a job in corporate and I got a feel of what the next few years of my life were going to be like and I just knew that I was not in the right space. So, I started doing promotion jobs and finally I started my cleaning company. From there I got into beauty by doing nails and eventually opened a salon. At this stage I had a decent number of followers who related to my story and they started asking me to start a YouTube channel including my husband. So, I would say, content creation naturally happened to me, it was never in the plans.”

The late American author, Bell Hooks, once said, “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion,” and this idea of healing in community can be applied to Mpoomy’s journey. After speaking out and sharing her experience with the challenges she faced after her pregnancy, it began a snowball effect and resulted in other women from all over, coming together and sharing their own experiences and healing together. Much like how she never planned to be a content creator, when she launched her Wisdom & Wellness Podcast, she did not anticipate just how impactful it would turn out to be. Now it has become a safe space for growth and healing.

“I thought I had healed and I was done but then life taught me healing is not a linear process. We’re in a constant journey of living, getting hurt, needing to heal, growing and discovering new things about the world and ourselves. When I first started therapy, it was because of my struggles with postpartum depression because after having kids, I struggled with my identity and who this new me was. It was really a big shock for me. So, one of the things my therapist suggested was that I find something to do for myself and something that serves others and that’s how the idea of Wisdom & Wellness Podcast was born.”

The Wisdom & Wellness Podcast, which she started in 2020, is a platform where Mpoomy aims to build deep connections with her guests and audience through powerful relevant conversations. Engaging in life lessons, unique journeys and inspiring listeners to be the best versions of themselves. Mpoomy says, although she is no longer struggling with depression, she is back in therapy just to help maintain a healthy mindset, especially since most of her work is emotion-driven. 

When trying out clothes from the new Witchery Collection, she admits just how much fun the experience is for her because, much like most people who couldn’t really go out in the middle of the pandemic, she too, has spent the last two years in sweatpants and hoodies.

“I actually don’t wear a lot of formal clothes but wearing these looks, I felt so much power and fun. I spent the last two years basically in sweats and I think it affected my workflow and so, one of my goals for this year has been to dress up more. Every day I am intentional with my choice of clothes because it says something about how I feel and it inspires me in my creativity.”

“These outfits from this Witchery collection affirmed something in me. They reminded me that I am really out here on this journey doing important work, living my dreams and I just got a sense of power. My favourite look was probably the green-on-green — it was just so perfect for me. If I had to pick just one item from the entire collection that I see myself incorporating in my day-to-day, it would probably be the denim jeans. Even if you don’t have curves, let me tell you, those denim jeans gave me some curves! I love it. Denim is very easy to style for almost any occasion as well.”

When you engage with any of Mpoomy’s content, it is very clear that faith plays a big part in her life. At any given time, you can check her Twitter timeline and you’ll be sure to find scripture and motivational messages. She says, since her own personal life is rooted in faith, her career is also driven by her faith and commitment to God’s guidance. 

“My decision-making is mostly based on what others call, “Gut feeling” but for me, I call that the Holy Spirit. I believe that God guides me in everything I do. Like I said, the career paths I have found myself in, I never planned but, by means of obedience, I find myself here today. As much as I am in an industry where I get to be educated and skilled, all of it is usually initiated by a call from God. I can never leave God or faith out of my work because without that, I don’t have a job.”

In a way, this makes her standout among her peers who are in the same space of content creation because the majority of the popular creators we have in the country tend to focus on things like beauty, fashion, music, etc. In addition to her “unconventional” journey of having religion bed at the center of her work, she has also managed to get married young, start a family and is currently raising two kids and this is all before she has even turned 30 years old. You often hear stories of how society has made women choose between a family or a career and how, on their road to success, they’ve had to sacrifice one for the other. However, with Mpoomy, she seems to have found a way to have both an inspiring professional career, as well as an amazing family. A quote that she lives by when it comes to finding balance in life says, ‘You can have it all, just not at the same time.’”

“I am married, I have kids, I have a career and so, for me it’s just a matter of really focusing on priorities and boundaries. Sometimes, I am unable to do school drops or pickups or just simply cannot be fully there for my kids but, I have people I trust who are always there to help me with my kids. What I am not going to do is be at work and be feeling guilty that I left my kids. When I am with my kids, work is not in the picture at all; I am fully dedicated to being as present as possible with them.”

“When it comes to raising my daughter, I have been very intentional with raising an independent girl. When she looks at me, I want her to see her mommy who went after all her dreams and still managed to be there for her and loved her. Granted, sometimes it does get hard to maintain that balance.”

While she has managed to build an ecosystem that allows all aspects of her life to thrive, she admits that it is not without its own challenges but she has systems in place to help her navigate those difficult moments.

“The most challenging part for me is when I am not present, when I am trying to be everything to everyone. I have a great mentor who has managed to raise amazing teenagers, a great family and has thriving businesses and she just always reminds me to simply choose if the opportunities I am presented with will make me happy or whether or not it is beneficial for me and my family. This is why I don’t accept invitations just for the sake of getting paid or because it looks fancy. Now I always remind myself that I am not a bad person if I can’t be there for someone because I am aware that I just simply cannot be everything to everybody. I can’t do it all.”

Mpoomy’s story and journey is one that has resonated with many people from all walks of life. Whether young or old, people continue to be inspired by her and so, when asked who inspires her since she’s already such an inspiration to so many, she credits an endless list of women who have played integral parts on her journey.

“My daughter, who is so much like me, is at that age now where she is asking questions and I just see so much potential in her. I realise that when I show her that I am fully utilising my gifts, that she can also utilise her own gifts. I am very honest and transparent when I communicate to her the things that I do, like going to work to make money to take care of her or going to therapy so I can be a better person for her and her siblings.”

“Other phenomenal women who inspire me are the likes of Amanda Dambuza and just her amazing story of how she started and worked to where she is today. My own mother has played such a huge role in the woman I am today. I feel like my mother is my second gut, especially in those moments where I am feeling unsure about certain decisions, she is always there. I also have a spiritual mother who prays for and keeps me in check. I have got women in front of me, who have already travelled the road; I have my girlfriends and those are the women by my side walking with me and I also have women behind me, such as my siblings and my children. I am surrounded by an army of incredible women and, of course, my amazing husband.”

It’s very clear that, while she never intended to be on this journey, Mpoomy is right where she needs to be. The fact that she has been globally recognised by YouTube as one of the most exciting content creators in South Africa is further affirmation. Still so young in her career, there is really no telling just how far she can go.

This has been a partnership between The Throne and Witchery

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