Failure is not death! — Lionesses of Africa

by Nandi Odri Usher 

In 2017, I came across an Instagram quote posted by South African actress, MC and presenter, Simphiwe Ngema, that read: “When you’ve failed many times before, you overcome the fear of failure because you realize that failure is not death,” by Pastor Given Ngema. I must have read it 5/6 times, trying to process these words and understand them. 

As a young girl I’ve always had so many ideas of who I wanted to be, what I wanted to do and if it’s really what I am meant to do. I had some pretty crazy ideas, if I should say so myself. I had big dreams that I would doubt from time to time, and by 2018 when I got saved, when I received Jesus Christ as my saviour and decided to become God/s servant a lot changed. I mean yes, I had been going to church most of my life but I knew very little about faith, fully trusting anyone, and just allowing things to be. I was insecure, I was impatient, I had a lot of fears and very little faith in my ideas. All these qualities were my biggest drawback. 

When I started my business in 2016 I was afraid to try new things, implement my ideas, or even stretch myself, and all I did was settle with the safe options. Pastor Given Ngema’s quote spoke life with these words, it lead to self-introspection. I started using positive words more, I did affirmations every morning, and I watched sermons from the likes of Sarah Jakes Roberts, Pricilla Shirer and sessions with the likes of Mpoomy Ledwaba, Fidelia Masomosomo, Moitshepi Elias and Vuyo Jodoba. Their teachings, experiences, their journeys and their lives became something to hold on to and I started to see why someone would say failure is not death. 

I will not deny it, sometimes even at this stage where I feel insecure, uninspired and cry over a rejection or failed attempt to do something, I get through it much better and faster. I never really saw failure as a chance to learn, to re-discover, and get what is really meant to be yours. Now I don’t shy away from dreaming big, from speaking my mind, from pitching my ideas, and for taking risks. This quote has challenged me and changed me. I go all in with everything I do and I celebrate my NOs because it can only mean I am a step closer to a YES that is meant for me.  This month, I challenge all of you lionesses to take charge of your life, go big, take up space, and keep moving