I grew up on the other side of Bethesda so we didn't communicate with the other people who lived in the location. It was a nice life, peaceful - not many people like where we live now. My grandpa planted many veggies and flowers. He milked our cow every morning and night, so there was plenty of milk. That's where I grew up. I left that house when I was twenty-eight. The white owner sold it to another white man.

I was at school till Standard Five. After school I went to work, doing washing until I had my first child. Then I worked in the shop in Nieu Bethesda and we had to speak English all the time. The next owners were Afrikaans so we had to talk Afrikaans. When the shop closed I sat at home, while my husband worked on a farm. After a couple of years he got a job in the Free State. I worked ten years in a kitchen there. I came back to Nieu Bethesda because the people I was working for left for Mozambique.

I've now been at home for two years. I live with my Mum. It's nice to live with her because we understand each other well. Now I'm here to stay. Life is better for me in a small town. In big cities you must be always in a hurry, but here you can walk. I like the Arts Centre too. There's always something for us to do, and the people are nice people.

The end of Apartheid hasn't changed my life in any way. I do vote because some of the people say to us you must vote, but I don't see any difference. I don't like shouting or lies. I'm a Christian, and I'm serving the Lord. I am fifty next month. I am pleased with my life.