Gqeberha, 20 August 2024: Meet Lorna Makhumalo Mgoqi, a vibrant and dynamic Facebook influencer born on 13 December 1992, in the drab village of Tsomo, Mthatha. With a warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, Lorna has captured the hearts of thousands online, sharing her passion for beauty, fashion, and entrepreneurship.
But, behind the glamour and success, lies a complex and intriguing life story, marked by twists and turns that have shaped her into the resilient and determined individual she is today. As the founder and owner of Hair by Lorna, a thriving company that supplies premium hair products to individual resellers and hair salons across South Africa, Lorna has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the beauty industry. Her dedication to quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation has earned her a loyal following and a reputation as a trusted and respected businesswoman.
Yet, Lorna’s journey to success was far from straightforward. Growing up in a loving but complex family environment, she faced challenges that tested her resolve and forced her to confront difficult truths about her past. With courage and determination, she navigated these obstacles, emerging stronger and more resilient with each passing day. In this story, we will delve into Lorna’s fascinating life, exploring the experiences that have shaped her, the lessons she has learned along the way, and the secrets she’s uncovered about her family and herself. Join us as we embark on this inspiring journey with Lorna Mgoqi Khumalo, a true embodiment of hope, perseverance, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Lorna was raised by her uncle (Mvuzo known as Mbhem) and his wife (Makheswa); they lovingly accepted her as their own from a very young age. This happened due to financial difficulties her biological parents faced which led to them being unable to cater to her needs, her biological mother (MaRadebe), unemployed but determined, took on part-time domestic work, while her father, once a miner, suffered a severe injury that forced him into early retirement which made things a lot harder, prompting her uncle and his wife to step in.
Despite their struggles with infertility, they welcomed Lorna into their family. Her foster father, who was a successful truck driver, ensured that their household was comfortable, with Lorna wanting for nothing. As a result, Lorna experienced a childhood that many can only dream of. She attended one of the best schools in the area, receiving a quality education that served as a solid foundation for her future. Her foster parents showered her with love, support, and encouragement. Lorna’s early life was a testament to the power of selfless love and the impact that caring individuals can have on a child’s life.
One of Lorna’s fondest memories from her childhood is the special bond she shared with her foster father. “I remember how my father would always insist that I be the one to open the gate for him when he came home from work,” she recalls. “He wouldn’t let anyone else do it, and that made me feel so loved and special. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes to me about how much he valued our relationship and my presence in his life. I felt like I was the most important person in the world to him in that moment.” “And that feeling has stayed with me to this day” Lorna adds.
Growing up, Lorna was unaware of the circumstances surrounding her arrival into her foster family. Her uncle and his wife were, to her, simply “Mom and Dad.” It was not until later, when curiosity got the better of her, that Lorna began to ask questions about her biological parents and the events that led her to her foster home. Her curiosity to know was triggered by the whispers and hints from people close to her. The whispers got louder as Lorna got older, and she started piecing together who her biological parents really were. Even though her life didn’t change, she was intrigued and had a lot of questions. However, in the traditional “Black” home she was raised in, such matters were not openly discussed. No one saw a need to explain the circumstances surrounding her birth, and Lorna never felt compelled to ask.
“I just figured things out myself,” Lorna reflects. “I’d see my biological parents around, and I knew they were struggling. They lived in poor conditions, and I could see the hardship in their eyes. I never felt anger towards them, because I understood that they did what they thought was best for me.” Lorna’s maturity and empathy allowed her to grasp the difficult decision her biological parents had made. “They gave me up to my uncle, who had a warm and stable home because they wanted a better life for me. I could not blame them for that. In fact, I admired their selflessness and love for me, even if it meant letting me go.”
It was not until Lorna finished matric (2011) that her family deemed it necessary to reveal the truth about her biological parents. The timing was prompted by the need for financial support, as her foster family faced financial struggles and Lorna was set to attend university. “Now that I’m older and everything is out in the open, I can see how my biological mother tries to make up for lost time,” Lorna says with a gentle smile. “She showers me with so much love and attention, almost as if she’s trying to compensate for the years we missed. It’s beautiful to see, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to build a relationship with her.”
As Lorna’s life began to fall into place – completing her studies, landing a job at Sanlam, and getting married – she faced a significant loss which was the passing of her beloved foster father in 2017. Though she wished he could have witnessed the fruits of her labor, Lorna honored his memory by giving him a dignified funeral, a testament to her gratitude for his unwavering care and support. Despite his absence, Lorna remains connected to her foster family, visiting her foster home whenever she is in the Eastern Cape. She continues to show her appreciation by buying groceries for her foster mother and assisting with other needs, ensuring that the love and care she received is reciprocated. In a devastating turn of events, later in life (2019) Lorna lost her job, and her husband left her, all while she was still reeling from the challenges of new motherhood. The weight of responsibility for her child’s well-being crushed her, and the world around her began to crumble.
“I remember one day, my son was crying for food, and I just snapped,” Lorna recalls, her voice trembling. “I slapped him so hard, and in that moment, I wanted to hurt him. I grabbed a knife, ready to…but something inside me stopped. I didn’t do it, thank God. But that is when I knew I needed help, there were instances where I would take the knife and cut myself because I wanted to stop the emotional pain, I thought maybe if it was physical pain, it would make things better and I couldn’t keep living like that.”
That incident marked a turning point for Lorna, who was later diagnosed with severe depression because she was dealing with a lot all at once, it was the loss of her job, her husband leaving her penniless having to continue paying rent for their apartment, and provide food for her and her son. The darkness she had been trying to navigate on her own had almost consumed her, threatening to destroy the very thing she held most dear – her child. With a heavy heart, Lorna began medication to manage her depressive episodes, a decision that would eventually save her life.
“I was so ashamed, so broken, my divorce tore me apart because how dare someone leave me at such a low point in my life to fend not only for myself but for my son as well who happened to be his child too” Lorna admits. “But I knew I had to get better, for my son’s sake. I could not be the mother I wanted to be, stuck in that darkness. Lorna’s depressive episodes became increasingly intense, leading her to attempt suicide multiple times. “I’ve lost count of how many times I tried to take my own life,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “But one time that stands out was when my sister (Asiphe Mgoqi) found me lying outside, facing upwards. I had taken pills, hoping to end it all.”
“I was tired of living,” Lorna explains. “I was unemployed, felt like I was failing my son, and didn’t want to be a burden to my family anymore. Even though my mother was helping with rent, I would often go to bed hungry for days because I did not want to ask for more. I felt like I was already too much for my family.”
But it was in that darkest moment that Lorna’s biological mother stepped in, taking Lorna’s child in, and reminding Lorna of the power of community and support. “It was like déjà vu, remembering my own childhood with my uncle’s family,” Lorna says. “It hit me that I didn’t have to do this alone just like how my parents did not have to do it alone back then. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu – a person is a person because of others. It takes a village to raise a child, and I didn’t have to be afraid to ask for help.” In that moment, Lorna began to understand the value of allowing others to share her burden. “I realized that I didn’t have to be strong all the time, that it’s okay to weaken and let others hold me up,” she says. “My biological mother taking my son in was a wake-up call.”
Lorna’s triumphant journey is a shining testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the impact of social media. By the grace of God, she emerged from the darkness of depression, finding solace in a job offer from a Facebook connection. The steady income of R8000 per month was a lifeline, providing hope and stability during a tumultuous time. This experience solidified her belief in the transformative power of social media and the support of her online community, inspiring her to pay it forward and assist others whenever possible. The job served as a catalyst, giving her the courage to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. With the earnings from that job, Lorna founded her successful hair company, a venture that has brought her financial stability and a sense of purpose. Her relationship with her son has flourished, and she has recently found love again, marrying a man who respects and honors her. The future looks bright, with plans to welcome into their home their kids.
Lorna’s story offers valuable lessons: the importance of community, the power of social media, and the human capacity for resilience and growth. It highlights the need to ask for help, to lean on others in times of need, and to pay it forward when possible. Her journey shows that with determination and faith, we can overcome even the darkest challenges and build a brighter future. As Lorna’s story comes full circle, it serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to hold on to their dreams and never give up.
Video: Against All Odds: Lorna MaKhumalo Mgoqi Triumph Over Adversity
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