Dinner With Every Me: An Update at 40

“The Head Girl for 2003 is Kitty Lekaba.” That announcement set so much in motion. Never mind how they called my name, but from that moment, life became a ride of faith, fire, and resilience. When Sr. Sheila declared those words at the 2002 prize-giving back at St. Catherine’s Convent, she probably had no idea of the journey she was unlocking. Actually, wait… she probably did and that’s exactly why she made that announcement! I had only been at the school for two years, having started in Grade 10. But that day, I learned a life lesson that has carried me ever since: what’s yours will never pass you by. Kitty Girl, you passed matric and stepped into the University of Johannesburg. UJ was more than just lectures and textbooks, it was a foundation. From Head Girl to SRC, to Skoonveld Res House Committee, to campus promotions manager, you learned to lead, to serve, and to find your voice.

But life hasn’t only been joyrides. In fourth year, we lost our brother, Karabo. It was a dark time and he left in his prime. Mom is still struggling from this one, but that's a story for another day. That pain taught us one of life’s sharpest lessons: life is short, and graves are full of dreams. Live golden, live full, and live now.

Then came audit articles and the audit firm. They wanted to make us a partner. We refused. Because we knew deep down that we wanted to wear jeans to work, to live differently, to make an impact. They laughed at us when we said this, but let me tell you something: you’re even going to work in shorts now (a cap too). The lesson: your purpose will never fit in someone else’s dress code.

Along the way, there were voices, loud and cruel. Girl, the people who called you a “coconut” in school, who mocked you for being fair-skinned, who accused you of getting things because you were pretty… those same people are now calling you for jobs and opportunities. Lesson: thank God you never listened to the naysayers. Protecting your peace has been golden.

And about love, you ask? Sis, we kissed a lot of frogs- even married one,  but we moved on. What a horrible experience but you had the strength  to not waste time in what doesn’t serve you and you loved yourself enough to walk away. The only good thing that came out of that was you beautiful baby girl. Girl you you’ve always loved things because you did a water birth at Genis Clinic. But wait…….I must be honest, single parenting was never in the plan, but by God’s grace it’s been a beautiful journey. The lesson there: plans may change, but God’s grace sustains. Look.... One thing I can confirm for you, it takes a whole lot of self-awareness and strength to stand beside you, girl, and only a pretty tough and self-aware guy could.

Entrepreneurship was always on the cards and you started a business with relatives which at the time felt like a safe bet….. hahahahahaha, girl it was joke! The very people I trusted most turned on you when money, power, and pressure entered the room. But here’s the truth I learnt from that: family isn’t defined by bloodlines, it’s defined by loyalty, love, and respect. Losing that partnership was painful, but it taught me to protect my peace, draw boundaries, and never compromise my purpose for the sake of keeping people close. You started a business with family and it went sour—fast. Lesson: not every partnership is meant to prosper, and not every shared surname means shared values.

But moving on, girl, let me clap for you here 👏🏽, you completed your MBA at GIBS, and you paid for it yourself. You made good, bold decisions and even sold your car to cover it. What a golden girl you are! That degree wasn’t just a certificate, it was a declaration that your future is worth investing in.

From there, stages opened. You spoke in rooms you never thought you’d enter but when you sat at the table, you sat like you belonged. Lesson: never doubt your worth as God already signed your seat reservation.

I won’t lie, the journey brought many characters along the way, some weird, some funny, some foolish, some awesome. Through it all, solid friends and family became the anchor. Lesson: family is not blood; family is who shows up and treats you right.

And then—oh girl—you are The Business Doctor, Keitumetse Lekaba. Purpose wrapped itself around your shoulders. You built a career helping entrepreneurs build and grow their business.

But here’s another glow-up: you’re now an MD, thriving in your role. Its a small business but look, a win is a win. You're teaching, inspiring, and living on God’s assignment. His purpose over your life is big. Bigger than you imagined at 18. Bigger than the dusty Soweto streets you started on. Bigger than the obstacles you faced.

And yes, can’t forget to tell you that you drive a beautiful Renault (bless Renault 😅). A symbol of the places you’ve been and the roads still to travel.

Girl, you even stopped being a passenger at church, and you serve now, gracefully, hosting one of the equipping groups at Rhema. And Ps Ray, who played such a big role in your faith journey, must be smiling from heaven. I’m proud of you for this one. The naysayers had plenty to say; ‘how could you be doing this?’ One even whispered, ‘People who listen to you don’t take their faith seriously.’ But thank God you learned to block out those voices over the years. You discovered that when God calls you, no human opinion can cancel your assignment!!!!!

And one last thing, girl, never stop being delusionally optimistic. It’s already gotten you far. You go through trials with a smile like you’re crazy—and maybe you are—but at 40, let me tell you: it’s worked for you all your life.

So here’s the truth, Keitumetse (Because no one calls you Kitty anymore), every version of me has been necessary. The little girl with big dreams, the student leader, the broken girl, the single mom, the businesswoman, the servant in God’s house…… all of them carried you to 40. You learned that purpose isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. Life has tested you, stretched you, and sometimes even tried to break you, but God’s hand has never left you. And if there’s one secret to carry forward, it’s this: be delusionally optimistic. Smile through the storms, believe beyond reason, and walk like you belong because you really do. At 40, I can tell you with certainty, it works out!!!!!!

So what have we learnt over the years: ✨ Golden Lessons from 40 to 18:

• What’s yours will never pass you by.

• Live golden—dreams belong to the living, not the graves.

• Love yourself enough to walk away.

• Grace sustains when plans collapse.

• Your purpose doesn’t fit into someone else’s mold.

• Family is who shows up, not who shares blood.

• Not every partnership is meant to prosper.

• Your future is worth investing in.

• Sit like you belong, because you do.

• Thank God you never listened to the naysayers.

• Protecting your peace is power and Golden.

• God’s purpose is bigger than your imagination!!!

Chat soon girl.