Hard Work Pays Off

From being a gardener to becoming an inspirational author and life coach, Lunga Ntuli shares his journey with us.

- Eric Naki

HE MIGHT only be 28, but his journey is impressive. His story is made up of resilience and perseverance, and learning to take advice from his mom.

In his youth, Lunga Ntuli worked as a gardener and a car guard on Durban’s streets. Today, he’s a life coach and author of four books. He shakes his head, baffled but amused by his life so far.

Lunga was born on Kwa Lugqaza farm, now called Simbithi Eco-Estate, in Kwa- Dukuza, KwaZulu-Natal.

“My twin sister, older brother and I were raised by a single parent,” he tells us.

His mother struggled to make ends meet, so he helped by working as a gardener in Salt Rock, a small town north of Ballito, earning about R20 a day.

“It was my first experience of work and it kept my dreams alive,” he tells us. “This is where most of my dreams came from.”

LIKE most young boys, he pictured his adult self as a great man with plenty of money. It was vital for him to have hope and aspirations.

“What drives me in life is my hunger to be the best and make a name for myself,” he explains.

“I grew up in a very negative environment where people believed the best way to motivate you is to criticise you.”