She turns 50 this year and she couldn't be more grateful for the gift of life. She's been living with diabetes for over 11 years. She has been called names, mocked, and even declared dead a few times due to the health condition that shrunk her weight. But, the spiritual and grounded actress, radio personality, and businesswoman Sophie Ndaba (49) says being educated about her condition and her faith is keeping her afloat. "My faith is keeping me grounded. It hasn't been easy. But because I see results, I keep on keeping on,' she tells ZiMoja. "I have risen from the dead, as people said. I am strong, my mind and spirit are strong. I have my days of ups and down. But my focus is looking ahead, moving forward, and being excited about what is yet to come. Right now, I'm in the middle of my storm, which is not really a storm, but I can see the light.'

GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE

She says reaching 50 and still going strong is a milestone she needs to celebrate. "I want to dedicate my 50 years to survival and thanksgiving. In June, I will host a thanksgiving celebration. Even if we eat kotas, it's not about fabulosity but about gratitude. I am excited that God has kept me and I have seen half my life and my waiting to go to the next half. This year, 2023 is the year of greatness.

LEARNING TO LIVE EVERYDAY

 She speaks openly about her wellness and any chance she gets; she will educate. "Diabetes, what a world!' she exclaims. "A world that is so far off from reality,' she says. "A world that is so technical, and difficult. Diabetes is just education. This journey has just taught them that you literally need to be a nurse, a doctor, or owing and you can survive with this disease without knowing and being informed.'

FOCUSING ON THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS

 She has been considering going back into acting but at the moment she is dealing with her business and her health. "I am currently regrouping, restructuring, planning, and thinking on the business side,' she says. "I will always be an actress but when the opportunity comes. Acting will always be part of me. Right now, I am working specifically on my business and my health.' 

FOCUSING ON MENTAL WELLNESS

When she found out about her condition, she thought it was like having high blood pressure or any other illness but quickly learned that each condition differs. "I thought it was simple, you take pills, exercise and it's enough. But living with it has changed my entire life. It's a project on its own. What you eat, how you live, and what you do impacts your health. I adapted healthy eating, less stress, exercise, and drinking a lot of water. I understood that living with diabetes also affects your mental health. And stressing less is part of living a healthy life.'

STAYING FOCUSED

This year she is launching her wellness program. "I have been talking about it for a long time. I was meant to launch it during COVID-19 but I was not at my bed mentally, and emotionally,' she says. "People have been going through a lot and when living with a chronic illness, your mental health needs a lot more focus. I will be teaching people through social media and hopefully one day turning it into a show. I just want to add value by changing one life at a time.'