Thuso Mbedu Reflects on Humble Beginnings on Youth Day

South Africans marked Youth Day on 16 June, a day dedicated to remembering the young people who lost their lives during the Soweto Uprising of 1976.

Youth Day honours the bravery of students who stood up against the apartheid regime. More than 500 young people were killed on 16 June 1976, making it one of the most significant days in South African history.

Following the commemorations, many local celebrities reflected on the meaning of the day. Among them was actress Thuso Mbedu, who shared a deeply personal story from her childhood and teenage years.

The award-winning actress posted a picture of herself from her high school days and reflected on the struggles her family faced while growing up.

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A post shared by Thuso Mbedu (@thuso.mbedu)

She wrote: “June 16 is a day we will never take for granted as South Africans. This year it feels heavier… bigger than ever.”

Mbedu explained that before moving to Pietermaritzburg, she lived in Ulundi, where her family had a large yard filled with flowers, sugar cane, banana trees, peach trees and guava trees.

“Before moving to PMB, I lived in Ulundi where we had a giant yard full of beautiful flowers, sugar cane, banana trees, peach trees, guava trees, among others. We could feed ourselves and we were proud of that. When we moved to the “suburbs” of PMB, all of that stopped.”

Life changed after the move. The actress shared that her grandmother was a pensioner and there were days when food was very limited.

“My gran was a pensioner and there were days when tea and bread was all we had. If you didn’t feel like tea, umbhubhudla was your next best option.”

She recalled how her grandmother put the children to work in the backyard. At first, they believed they were digging space for a swimming pool.

“We were excited at the thought of finally getting a swimming pool! (Being delusional is free and we expended all our coupons).”

However, they later discovered the land was being prepared for a vegetable garden. “The intention was not to sell or anything. It was for us to eat so we could survive.”

At the time, Mbedu admitted she hated the garden. She felt embarrassed and did not like how it made them different from their neighbours. She also remembered taking a matric photo in front of it, something she disliked.

Looking back 17 years later, her perspective has completely changed.

“That “embarrassing” patch of land is the reason we ate when we didn’t have grocery money. Gogo’s resistance preserved us after year after year. Without that garden, there would be no Thuso at Wits. No Thuso in the industry. No Thuso where she is today.”

Her story highlights the sacrifices her grandmother made to ensure the family survived during difficult times.

Mbedu ended her message with a powerful lesson about perseverance and humble beginnings. “Don’t despise the small beginnings, no matter how “embarrassing” they might seem. They are carrying you into your future.”

As South Africans reflected on Youth Day earlier this week, Mbedu’s story served as a reminder that resilience, sacrifice, and determination can shape a brighter future.

“On this Youth Day let’s put all we can into what will keep us alive to tell the story of our country and how far we’ve come. Let’s go back to the garden.”