Life is a journey filled with trials and triumphs, shaped by faith, resilience, and purpose.
Welcome to our new series, From Trials to Triumph, where we profile remarkable individuals who have overcome significant challenges through faith, resilience, and sound financial principles.
As daughters of the Most High, we walk through valleys and climb mountains, strengthened by His promises. This series highlights women who have faced adversity yet emerged victorious, anchored in faith and financial stewardship. Their stories serve as testaments to God’s faithfulness and a source of encouragement for those still navigating their paths.
Today, our inaugural profile features Thembi Swana—wife, mother, Water Resources Scientist, entrepreneur, founder of the NPO Beauty from Ashes, and a woman of unwavering faith. Her journey from the riverside of Umlazi Township to becoming a successful professional and business owner offers powerful lessons for us all.
Each month, we’ll bring you inspiring stories that demonstrate how faith can be a foundation for rebuilding lives and achieving success.
Personal Background
Q: Can you share a bit about yourself—where you’re from, your upbringing, and your early life experiences?
Thembi: My name is Thembi Swana (born Ngubane). I am a 37-year-old mother of three, married to Mpumzi Swana. We recently celebrated nine years together. I am a Professionally Registered Water Resources Scientist, and due to unemployment in our country, I registered my own company in 2019, where I have been employed since. I am a born-again Christian, and I love the Lord deeply. If it hadn’t been for Him, I wouldn’t even be sharing my journey with you today. I also have a heart for young people, specifically teenagers, which led me to establish my NPO, Beauty from Ashes.
I grew up in Umlazi, a township in Durban, raised by my grandmother with the help of my great-grandmother. My parents were never married, so I lived in my maternal grandmother’s home. I have always loved nature, and living near the Umlaas River deepened that passion. Whether walking along the river, playing in the water, or resting under the banana trees, I found solace there. Little did I know that my childhood fascination with water would lead me to a career in environmental science!
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced growing up or in your journey?
Thembi: As a child, I longed for the constant love of my parents. My mother was hardly home, and name-calling was a norm in my township. I had no one to protect me from it. I watched my grandmother nurture my uncle (only a year older than me), and I deeply desired that love. As a result, I suffered from rejection and low self-esteem, unable to recognize the potential God had placed in me.
Q: Was there a defining moment that shifted your perspective on life and finances?
Thembi: University changed everything. After my mother passed away, my therapist introduced me to her church in Pietermaritzburg (MCC). Though I had already been born again, it was there that I truly deepened my relationship with Christ. I started serving in the youth ministry, and my friend and I began baking and selling muffins to fund student transport to church. That experience showed me that God could use me to create something meaningful.
Another major shift happened when I met my husband. I had not known of a better love, He constantly reminded me that the standard has been set, that he was to love me like Christ loved the church. He also taught me an important financial lesson: a million is not much in the grand scheme of things. We don’t work to survive but that a good man must build and leave an inheritance for his children’s children.
Faith & Resilience
Q: How has your faith played a role in overcoming hardships?
Thembi: Knowing that I am unconditionally loved and accepted by God has carried me through every challenge.
Q: Were there any scriptures that helped you through your struggles?
Thembi: The story of Joseph was my greatest comfort. Even though he was rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, and suffered in a foreign land, the Bible says “But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man” (Genesis 39:2 AMPC). If God could do it for Joseph, He could do it for me too.
Financial Journey & Lessons Learned
Q: What financial struggles did you encounter, and how did you navigate them?
Thembi: Starting a business with no funding was a nightmare, especially since my husband and I were both entrepreneurs. We faced financial uncertainty, but God provided. We kept trying different ideas until we found what worked. My business evolved from Café Micah (food), to Micah Concepts (gifting), and now Micah Consulting, offering hydrological and environmental services nationwide.
Q: What biblical financial principles helped you make wiser decisions?
Thembi: Giving! Tithing, offerings, and sharing—even when I had little. “Give, and it will be given to you: a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).
Finding Purpose & Success
Q: How did you discover your purpose?
Thembi: After moving to Johannesburg, I felt lost. I had devoted three years to being a mom, and I wasn’t sure what my purpose was anymore. So, I bought a flipchart, gathered my academic records, and asked myself three questions:
- What do I know? (Skills & Knowledge)
- What can I do with it? (Services)
- Who needs it? (Potential Clients)
We created a company profile, listed potential clients, and prayed. Soon, doors started opening! The Lord has been faithful.
Q: What role has financial stewardship played in shaping your life?
Thembi: Learning to manage the little prepares you to manage the much!
Q: What advice would you give to someone struggling with finances or purpose?
Thembi: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Life is about discovering the good works God has already prepared for you. Pray for guidance. “Outside of Christ, we can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Q: If you could leave readers with one powerful message, what would it be?
Thembi: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP). Trust that He has already mapped out your journey!
Key Takeaways from Thembi’s Journey
- Find Purpose Through Process: Take inventory of your skills and commit your plans to God.
- Embrace Adaptability: Thembi pivoted her business multiple times before finding success.
- Practice Generous Giving: Giving opens doors to provision, even in seasons of lack.
- Surround Yourself with Support: Thembi’s faith community and husband played a vital role in her journey.
- Trust God’s Pre-Written Plan: We are His masterpiece, created for good works in Christ.
Life is a beautiful gift. Life apart from God is vanity. Find yourself in Christ and follow Him to live your best life ever. This does not mean you will not be tested or go through trials, but with the assurance of knowing that God is your Right-hand Man, your Support, your Ultimate Provider, and your Security, victory is assured. If you know someone whose story of faith, resilience, and financial stewardship should be featured, please reach out to us at admin@elevatefinancepartners.online. Let’s inspire the world together!
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Indeed God is always faithful to his own.
Amen! He truly is faithful.
Amen, God is indeed faithful to His word🙏🏾
Glory to God
How can one not be inspired by this God-led journey? I truly appreciate you sharing your story to uplift and encourage us. From the very beginning, it’s been incredible to witness your rise. You’re using your God-given skills and talents not just to shape a better future, but to build generational wealth for your family.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s truly humbling to see how God’s hand has guided this journey. We are all given unique talents and a purpose, and when we walk in faith, the impact extends beyond us—it creates a legacy for generations to come!
What a blessing, and great inspiration. Truly appreciated. This story spoke directly to me. #Don’t be too hard on yourself” God will use me and guide my purpose. I will not quit.
Amen! I love your determination! God’s timing is always perfect, and He will guide you as you walk in faith. Don’t be too hard on yourself—every step, even the challenges, is part of the journey He has planned for you. Keep trusting, keep growing, and never quit. You are being shaped for something greater! Stay encouraged and keep moving forward. 💛✨ #FaithOverFear #PurposeDriven