Cape Town - From living in a shack to becoming an Influential Woman of the Year, Parow ward councillor, Franchesca Walker, opens up about her journey.
The Influential Women & Artes Awards recognises and embraces empowerment and creativity in a night of distinction and inspiration.
Walker, who sparkled in a beautiful silver dress, walked onto Baxter theatre stage on Saturday with her head held high to collect her award, dedicating it to a life of hardship.
Walker, 52, grew up in a one-bedroom house in the Vrygrond informal settlement with her siblings and mom.
“My journey as councillor did not start in 2016, but 30 years ago when I realised how inspirational a person from an underprivileged area can be.
“Look at me, from Vrygrond, in a one bedroom and a makeshift kitchen divided by a curtain.
“We had an outside toilet and shared a communal tap, but we were happy.
Walker explained why she chose to invest back into women.
“We lived in a house we got in Valhalla Park until one night my mom was attacked by a man who asked her for water. That man hit my mom extremely hard on her breasts, she fell down, he grabbed her by her hair and dragged her out the house, across the gravel road to Valhalla station, she screamed so hard, the neighbours came out and found her on the railway, then the next day she found the strength to take the keys back to the housing office.”
The councillor moved to Mitchells Plain with her mom and siblings where she spent most of her teen years.
In the meantime, she would empower herself, attending workshops and going to the library.
At the age of 19, she fell pregnant and married.
By 25, she was divorced.
Walker then opened a coffee shop at Airport Mall, but it did not work out. This resulted in the bank to repossessing her home, car and all her belongings.
“That is when I applied for a job at community safety and I went from businesswoman to a driver, messenger.”
In 2016, she became councillor and also met her second husband.
“Everything was perfect just as I envisioned, I was serving my community and I was in love, but then my husband passed away five years later and I again took a knock.
“But then I was reminded why I am doing what I am doing and again I will say, people see your glory but they don’t know your story, so I dress up.”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Cape Argus