Scrolling through Instagram, I searched for “female entrepreneurs in Cape Town, South Africa.” Profiles of fascinating women filled my screen. On a whim, I messaged a handful of them, introducing myself and my Strong Girls platform. The plan was to interview strong women for my own social media.
Ding. My first reply came from Ncumisa, a farmer in a small town outside the city. A few days later, she arrived at my apartment, stepping gracefully out of an Uber in a sundress with immaculate nails—far from the image of a typical farmer I’d imagined.
Over tea, she shared her story. During the pandemic, a famine hit. Her small town had been on the brink of a food disaster. Determined to make a difference, she began teaching gardening classes and farming livestock to support her community. Her resilience and vision struck a chord with me, and our conversation spilled beyond the interview.
“I’d love for you to visit my town,” she said warmly as she left.
The next day, dressed in my own sundress, I stepped into an Uber and ventured further and further out of the city. The buildings gave way to rolling pastures, dotted with sheds and grazing animals.
When I arrived, Ncumisa had prepared a feast. A local restaurant that sourced its meat from her farm had outdone itself: roasted tomatoes, seasoned potatoes, tender meats, and more. After our meal, we sat talking, but a nearby table caught her eye—a group of men and women waved her over.
“Incredible meat, Ncumisa! You’re truly talented,” one of the
men said warmly. As we joined their table, they explained they were brainstorming ways to address a pressing issue: the lack of access to sanitary pads in their community.
“This means girls often miss a week of school each month,” one of them explained gravely.
I glanced around at the group of men, imagining their awkward attempts to explain menstruation to middle schoolers. The thought made me smile.
“I’ll do it!” I blurted out.
“You’ll do it?” they asked, surprised.
“Yes, I’ll give the talk to the girls—and help distribute supplies.”
For the next three weeks, every morning, this incredible group picked me up. Together, we traveled across six provinces in the Western Cape, donating over 800 sanitary pads and water bottles. We visited schools, shared stories, and gave talks that encouraged young girls to embrace their power and potential.
This unexpected journey wasn’t just about giving—it was about finding something I didn’t know I was searching for. In an unfamiliar town, among strangers turned allies, I discovered a profound sense of purpose.
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Isabella Williams is the current Miss Lake Champlain (Vermont). You can find her on her title's Instagram and/or her personal Instagram. She is the author of several books, and the illustrator of the recent release The Fire Within You.
To learn more about Isabella, feel free to check out her Interview with Section 36.
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