A modern-day superwoman.
This is how peers and close friends describe Esther Julius (51), a Kensington resident who is a living example of hard work and determination.
Julius has been running the Kensington Toy Library for the past 11 years and her story, like many other women on the Cape Flats, is one of sacrifices, heartache and challenges. She says her passion for children and the community was sparked in 2005.
“My son attended a youth college in District Six and he would come home everyday excited and tell me all the things they are doing and all the skills he is learning at the college. I asked him if I could come there just to observe, but he was not in favour of this.”
Julius explained that she went to Azaad Youth College one day with her son and was immediately appointed group leader of one of the programmes.
The mother of three says soon after she was enrolled, and she and her son, who was 19 years old at the time, attended college together.
“That college was my stepping-stone. A few months down the line they offered me a job and I became the student administrator, then later, the director’s personal assistant. That is where the community work started for me.”
Julius says everything she learnt at the college she applied in her community. “I got involved in my own community in 2006. I went to Shawco community centre. I was a volunteer there. Whenever they had functions, I was involved there.”
Julius explains that she was the secretary of the community policing forum an did various other administrational duties for different organisations.
In 2009, she left the college and decided to complete her matric at the age of 39.
“While doing my matric I was offered a job here at the Toy Library and this is where I have been ever since.”
She explains that 2011 was a particularly challenging year for her and her three children.
“I turned 40 years old that year. And my husband died. It was a difficult time being a widow and having to raise my kids on my own. One of my children is a special needs child so he needed extra attention.”
She explains that prayer and support from her family, friends and her church is what kept her going at the time.
According to Julius, she also battled with weight gain. “I was so unhappy. I remember there was a time that I wore a size 50, I would go into a store to buy clothes and I would cry in the fitting room.”
She explains that while attending the youth college with her son she decided to pursue a healthier lifestyle.
“I just thank God that I realised that you must do something for yourself, for your health and for you as a woman. I discovered and decided just to be happy with what I was doing.”
But a determined Julius is determined to make a success of her life.
In 2015, Julius enrolled at College of Cape Town to complete a course in Early Childhood Development and graduated in 2020.
“I started with level one training. In the beginning I did the recognition to prior learning course and within a few months I obtained my level four training.
“I did not do a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Development) yet. But I am trusting and hoping to still do this. Whatever God has in store, I am ready for it.”
Julius also shares an inspiring message to women.
“There is hope even though everything may seem gloomy. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You are worthy of love; it doesn’t matter where you come from. There is something much greater waiting for you as a woman.”
