Xoli Zondi

"Coming from a family that wasn't well off, I though certain things were out of reach and were only for specific people."

"My passion kept me going, but sometimes passion does not pay the bills."

"I had to understand that my mistakes don't define me and that I had a life to live and dreams to fulfil."

"Rise up from the place of guilt and feeling sorry for yourself and run to your destiny."

"A child is a gift from God regardless of how it was concieved. God does not make mistakes."

"Love is eternal. People have been hurt and disappointed and because of that, have stopped believing in the existence of love. You find love from God. Learn to love yourself. Only then can you love someone else."

"I believe that love should be the foundation of every marriage and not money or anything materialistic."

"I would rather lose my sense of touch. I love talking and listening to stories. So, I can't afford not to be able to talk and hear."

"Mental illnesses and disorders are different and that is what people don't quite understand."

"I grew up thinking there were things I was not worthy of."

"I would say all things are possible and you can open any door."

"As black people, we still have a long way to go to understand and learn more about mental illnesses. This is not to say we are people that don't want to learn or know more, but there is also the language barrier."

"Mental illnesses are different and there are no names for them in our own languages."

"We still need to learn about mental disorders and know that people who have them have a place in society. They just need to be better understood and get the help they deserve."

"Being a mom has taught me to be patient, be still and to listen. To give attention when it is needed and give time - and that I just need to calm down."

"Just throw yourself in the deep end. Whatever opportunity you get, throw yourself in."

"I calculated everything - I planned and over-planned at times and I ended up missing opportunities because I was very careful."