Posted by Swellengram
If you are vaguely acquainted with Moira, you would think she is someone who has a background only in the arts. You would never think she comes from the finance industry. Before she retired, she was an investment specialist with a team that excelled because she could draw and break down investment terms to biteable sizes. She reminds me of these wonderfully ageless Hollywood beauties like Meryl Streep who still have a long life ahead of her, instead of the office types.
The Moira story begins in Port Elizabeth, now known as Qheberha. While many see her current life and assume she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, the truth is far more poignant. Moira’s idyllic childhood was tragically disrupted by her mother’s illness, which ultimately led to her mother’s suicide. Life was carefree until her mother underwent a hysterectomy in her early forties. The medications drained her energy and vitality, leaving her a shadow of her former self. Sadly, she took her own life, and it was Moira who discovered her mother’s lifeless body.
Moira’s father came from a poor family but was incredibly industrious. He worked tirelessly and delayed marriage until the age of 34 — a decision considered quite unconventional in the Afrikaans community at the time. His reasoning was noble: he wanted financial stability before raising a family. He eventually purchased a farm in Alexandria, where life was wonderful for a time. However, as a way of coping with the loss of his wife, Moira’s father succumbed to alcoholism later in life.
A childhood event that left a profound impact on Moira occurred when a visitor came to her home. Her father, proudly boasting about his children, listed only her three siblings, completely omitting Moira. Moira’s parents had planned to space children three years apart. After their first child, Moira followed closely and unexpectedly – then two more children followed according to the original plan. As the “unplanned” child sandwiched between her siblings, Moira felt invisible and unwanted. She vividly recalls the heartbreak of that moment, and even now, as she recounts the story, tears stream down her cheeks. She had longed for acknowledgment and belonging, and this incident left a lasting scar.
Moira eventually found healing and freedom—not through therapy, but through a heartfelt conversation with her father later in life. He told her, “Look, Moira, one thing for sure is that you are the only true love-child of your parents because you were conceived when we really just made love out of enjoyment and not out of the need to fall pregnant.” This revelation brought laughter to her face and restored her natural glow.
Despite the adversity and heartbreak Moira has faced, she has risen from the ashes, embodying resilience and strength—like a phoenix emerging anew.
Moira wasn’t entirely certain whether she wanted to be a psychologist, an actress, or a corporate professional. What she did know, beyond any doubt, was her desire to serve people wherever life took her. Teaching and nurturing others became her calling, and she continually strives to bring something beautiful to the table. Reflecting on her life today, Moira feels immense gratitude for the person she has become, despite the challenges she has faced.
Although Moira has strong artistic inclinations, she doesn’t believe in confining herself to a single path. She pursued studies in a variety of fields, including Art at a Technikon in Port Elizabeth, Marketing in Cape Town, Financial Markets, and most recently, qualifying as a Life Coach. Moira is a living testament to the idea that how you start is far less important than how you finish. She often says, “Leave the bad stuff in the past and bring only what serves you.”
When it comes to what makes her happy, the colour red stands out. Perhaps her love for red stems from a desire to be seen, but for Moira, red is vibrant, bold, and full of life. It is also the colour of love. Today, her red heritage home stands proudly like a lamp on a hill, radiating her light to the world.
Did I mention she also owns a red classic Benz? Classy, indeed. Her family and friends affectionately call her “here-comes-another-project” because she is always working on something to make the world a more beautiful place. “The world can be an ugly place if left alone,” says Miss Ruby, as she is fondly nicknamed. She hosts live events every second month—or as often as she can—sharing her passion and energy with others. Red, she says, is the colour that chose her, and she shares it with the world as much as possible
Moira fondly remembers her mother as a flamboyant woman who always wore stunning outfits and custom-made hats. Boldness, it seems, runs in the family, and Moira embraces it effortlessly.
It’s quite ironic that Moira now serves as Chairperson of the Board of The Drostdy Museum, considering history was never her strong suit in school. So, how did she become involved with the Museum? When she moved to Swellendam, she was approached to join the Board of Trustees. She suspects that part of the reason was due to her reputation for working with the labourers’ children on her farm. She had hosted art classes for them every second Saturday, which became so popular that children from other farms and Swellendam town started attending. She fondly recalls seeing a cloud of dust rising from the gravel road leading to her farmhouse, signalling the arrival of children eager for her classes. Her delicious food might have played a role in their enthusiasm, but whether it was the art or the food, the children cherished the experience.
Moira also had a theatre on her farm, further showcasing her creativity and busy-ness. Her ability to connect with people and create meaningful experiences has remained a hallmark of her journey.
Moira served firstly as a Member of the Board and then took on the role as Chairperson. Today, she is deeply passionate about the Museum and has a clear vision—she dreams of seeing more cultures, particularly African cultures, represented within its walls.
The Board’s responsibilities as guardians of the Museum include, but are not limited to, strategic planning, fundraising, and maintaining a focus on the Museum’s broader role in the Swellendam community and beyond. One of the major challenges they face is the lack of funding for heritage maintenance and programs, as well as the critical need for skilled personnel. Although they benefit from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)—a South African government initiative aimed at addressing unemployment—it falls short of fulfilling the specialized skills and expertise required by the Museum, Moira laments. Heritage buildings and artifacts require highly specialized repair work, which demands exceptional effort and knowledge.
For instance, Moira finally found a man with exceptional talent in repairing old mills. This craftsman restored the mill at the Ambagswerf pro bono, (see video here) and after successful testing, the Museum plans to produce flour at the mill, possibly on a monthly basis. Volunteers are also a cornerstone of the Museum’s operations, contributing their time and skills to keep it running.
For Moira, the role of the Museum extends beyond preserving history—it is also a vehicle for fostering social cohesion. She envisions the Museum as a unifying force in the community, a place where people come together to learn from one another and progress as one. “The Drostdy Museum is a mother where we all come together as one to learn from each other and move forward together,” she says. Engaging the youth is a particular focus for Moira, and she believes the way to captivate them is through art, dance, and poetry. This is why the Museum collaborates closely with the Swellendam Alive Festival.
Moira started a branch of the ATKV last year, She is currently planning a carnival for “een-honderd-woorde,” celebrating the centenary of the Afrikaans language on 27 September 2025. “The carnival is not just for White Afrikaans people but for anyone who speaks and loves the Afrikaans language,” she emphasizes.
When I asked her about when the Museum might start collecting and showcasing new history, Moira pauses thoughtfully. After a moment, she admits she doesn’t have an answer but promises to find out. True to her word, she has since reached out to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports in the Western Cape for guidance. Currently, The Drostdy Museum concentrates on a specific time period in Swellendam’s history, but Moira ponders the pressing question: when will museums begin to evolve and reflect the ever-changing, fast-paced world?
Her next “crazy” idea is to host living funerals. She envisions events where people can share kind and funny words with someone while they are still alive, rather than waiting until a traditional funeral when the person can no longer hear them. “People say things about you when you are dead that you need to hear while you are alive,” she explains. The concept of a living funeral, complete with a coffin, might sound unconventional—even a bit wild—but Moira is just the person to pull it off. “Crazy is normal,” she says with a smile. She points out the irony of how we label people in psychiatric hospitals as “crazy” for walking in circles, yet in everyday life, people often walk in circles of routine and call it normal.
I asked about her proudest achievement, and Moira laughed heartily and jokingly says it’s finding a man who can tolerate her many personalities and endless projects. She affectionately calls her husband “Ponkie,” referring to him as her rock and shelter. However, in all seriousness, she prefers the word “thankful” over “proud.” Moira is truly thankful to have a husband in whose wisdom, care, and love she can rest.
She emphasizes her gratitude for the opportunities she has had to help others, citing events like “Die Damesoggend,” where locals designed and modelled clothes for a fashion show. Another cherished achievement is the calendar project “Deeper Beauty,” which featured 12 individuals with special needs. Each photoshoot depicted the unique philosophy of the participant, leaving a profound impact on Moira. She recalls the moment with Moses, a man who could neither hear nor speak. In the photoshoot, Moses stood bare-chested by the dam, holding a shell to his ear with his eyes closed. Something stirred within him, and he reached out to kiss Moira’s hands—a moment so beautiful and moving it still brings tears to her eyes.
Moira also reflects on her experience with a homeless man who lived under a bridge in Cape Town. Against the advice of friends and family, who feared for her safety, she took him in after he promised to stop drinking. Though he disappointed her many times, Moira remained steadfast, helping him on his journey. He initially stayed in her Wendy House, but she later built him a proper room attached to her home, where he lived until he passed away.
There are countless stories to tell about Moira, though we must stop before “Mrs. Gram of Swellengram” scolds us for talking too much. Moira’s favourite word is GRATITUDE, a reflection of what she believes God intended to accomplish through her. She feels honoured to be chosen for this purpose, which is why she calls herself the “Gratitude Goddess.”
Her vision for Swellendam is one of unity—bringing together Swellendam town, Railton township, and the surrounding farms. For Moira, unity does not mean uniformity; rather, it is love that binds people and propels them forward as a mighty force.
Moira is currently planning a carnival for “een-honderd-woorde,” celebrating the centenary of the Afrikaans language on 27 September 2025. “The carnival is not just for White Afrikaans people but for anyone who speaks and loves the Afrikaans language,” she emphasizes.
Thank you, Moira-Ann, for the remarkable difference you have made—and continue to make—in the lives of many. Call her Moira, Moikie, Nomsa, or Miss Ruby—it doesn’t matter, just don’t call her late for breakfast!.
To read more about the Writer’s work, Chief. Kagisho Molema, please visit:
https://web.facebook.com/themindsetchief/
https://www.instagram.com/kagishomolema_themindsetchief/
www.kagishomolema.com
Developed by Evolution Media House