If you had told young Zodwa Velaphi that she would one day trade her basket of boiled eggs for a degree in Clinical Psychology, she probably would have laughed—right before offering you an egg at a discount. But life, as it turns out, had bigger plans for her. This is the incredible (and occasionally hilarious) story of how a girl from the bustling streets of Bulawayo went from hawking snacks to healing minds—and, most importantly, finding Christ.
Zodwa’s early years were nothing short of a soap opera. When her parents divorced while she was in Class 7, she was left in a situation that made telenovelas look tame. With no one to provide for her, she took matters into her own hands—quite literally—by selling hard-boiled eggs and other foodstuffs at Renkini market. If there were an Olympic sport for convincing people to buy snacks they didn’t need, Zodwa would have brought home the gold. The market was a battlefield of competitive vendors, but armed with a sharp tongue and an unbreakable spirit, she became the undefeated champion of egg sales.
Despite her undeniable business genius, Zodwa knew deep down that she wasn’t meant to spend her life yelling “Two for one! Fresh eggs here!” So, when her elderly niece decided to adopt her and send her back to school, she saw it as her golden ticket. There was just one small problem—school was hard. Really hard. If there was a prize for struggling through exams, she would have won that too. But what she lacked in academic prowess, she made up for in pure faith (and probably a few tearful prayers before tests).
It was during this time that Zodwa had an encounter that would change her life forever—she gave her life to Christ. She wasn’t just dipping her toes into faith; she dove in headfirst. She became that friend who quotes Bible verses for every situation, much to the amusement (and sometimes annoyance) of those around her. She prayed before meals, exams, and even before opening her report card. She loved praying using prayer points. Spoiler alert: The prayers worked.
Now, if you think universities only accept straight-A students, you haven’t met the God that Zodwa serves. Because against all logic, all academic records, and possibly all university policies, the University of Pretoria accepted her. It was the kind of miracle that left even the professors scratching their heads. But Zodwa knew exactly how it happened—divine favor. With her faith as her fuel, she powered through her studies, asked more questions than her lecturers had time for, and formed study groups (which occasionally turned into Bible study sessions).
Years of sleepless nights and countless cups of coffee later, she finally graduated as a Clinical Psychologist. The same girl who once chased after customers in the streets of Bulawayo was now helping people chase after mental wellness. Those who once laughed at her dreams now sit in her waiting room, waiting for an appointment. And as for the ones who doubted her faith? Well, they’re now the ones asking for prayer requests.
More from Africa News 24
The good old days – By Dr Ted Msipa (PhD)
Today, Zodwa is not just a respected psychologist—she’s also a proud ambassador for Christ. She speaks to young girls about overcoming adversity, works to uplift struggling communities, and still manages to throw in a good Bible verse at every opportunity. Her journey is proof that faith, resilience, and a good sense of humor can take you further than you ever imagined.
So, the next time life knocks you down, just remember Zodwa Velaphi—the girl who went from selling eggs to earning a degree, and from hopelessness to a life filled with purpose. And if you still don’t believe in miracles, well, she’d be happy to pray for you.
Dr Ted Msipa is Pastor, Author, Visionary, Entrepreneur and Public Speaker based in Maseru, Lesotho. He is a leading voice in leadership, personnel development, organisational thinking, transformational leader and people builder in sub-Sahara Africa and Beyond. He writes here in his personal capacity and views shared here do not necessarily reflect those of Africa News 24. Dr Ted can be reached on Coachted117@gmail.com or on +266 63177309.
