If you look up ‘resilience’ in the dictionary, you’ll likely find a picture of Nomndeni Mdakhi next to it!
Nomndeni is a serial entrepreneur who has had more than her fair share of ups and downs. But one thing is clear – she has made it her mission to inspire and uplift others, and in particular African women.
Nomndeni is the Founder of Agenda Women – a platform focused on bringing women together to learn and grow. She is also the Managing Director of Edits Communications, which is a PR, Branding and Talent Marketing Agency based in Johannesburg.
While most people are familiar with the vivacious, go-getting Nomndeni, few know the tragedy and deep loss she has experienced in her life.
Nomndeni was raised in a large extended family. Her grandfather built a home with 24 rooms to keep the close knit family together. She grew up living with her grandparents, uncles, and aunts around her. Unfortunately, at a young age, she experienced a series of losses in the family. She witnessed members of her family pass away from different causes, one after the other in a short span of time.
“It’s not often that this story comes up, and it’s such a significant part of my story and narrative. It shaped a lot of who I am. It shaped a lot on how I see the world.” – Nomndeni Mdakhi
In this very candid conversation, Nomndeni shares how despite experiencing so much grief, loss, and trauma, she is still able to have such a positive outlook on life. She also talks about how she turned to therapy as part of her healing.
“Sometimes I feel like we really fight battles that we don’t need to fight, and we forget the essence of human existence, which is love.” – Nomndeni Mdakhi
Now a successful entrepreneur and mother of two, Nomndeni talks about being a working mum while raising her children, and how her perspective on parenting has changed through the seasons of her life. She also talks about how marriage and friendships all played important roles in the different chapters of her life, and how she was able to move on when they ended.
“We need to be intentional about how we show up for the different aspects of who we are.” – Nomndeni Mdakhi
Nomndeni also talks about why she left the corporate world to pursue entrepreneurship. Her first business venture in 2009 was a DJing school with her longtime friend DJ Zinhle.
“I really believe that every experience I have gone through and will go through is God showing me something. You will never understand someone else’s inability to succeed, to get themselves out of a bad marriage, to get themselves out of grief, until you have been there.” – Nomndeni Mdakhi
