My name is Thobekile, it means ‘being humble’. I was given this name because my parents were raised strictly and they followed all the instructions given to them by their parents. They wanted to raise me the same way and they want me to be humble and polite just like my name. I’m proud because my parents are also proud of my behaviour.

I was born to rule, my granny used to tell me that. She would shout my name so that everyone could hear her because, according to her, that’s the greatest and the most powerful name she knows.

I would even laugh a lot when she shortened my name and called me, ‘Thoe’. Some find it funny and some love it.

I don’t really love my name because it’s so old fashioned and sounds so ancestral and that totally drives me crazy. But it still is a great name.

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This piece of writing was created as part of the WritingMe Writing Clubs with Sophumelela High School, Western Cape. Find out more here.