Mistakes do not define people, their triumph over them does.
This is the firm belief of model Abygail Human from Delft, who, when pregnant at 18, never gave up on her dreams.
She’s now a TV star in the making, having landed a role in the Netflix series Blood and Water.
The now 21-year-old beauty wants to use her story to inspire other young people.
“It felt like my life was over when I found out I was expecting,” she says.
“I tried going back to school but I could not, as I was breastfeeding for two years and it made me even more depressed.”
Abygail dreamt of becoming a model and she thought that her dream would remain just that until she found a job at a retail shop.
“I won a work modelling competition. My boss always motivated me saying I have a lot of passion and that I am a hard worker, which made me even stronger as a young mom.”
She found the courage to embark on a career in the modelling industry, joining Kairos Modelling Agency and the CAT Casting Agency.
The gigs started coming in, including playing an extra in Blood and Water, which is arguably one of the best series made in the country.
The series, which was shot in Cape Town last year, has striking similarities to the true story of Zephany Nurse, who was snatched as a baby from her mom’s hospital bed in 1997.
Abygail, who plays a schoolgirl in season one, says being on TV has lit a fire for acting in her heart.
“Wow, I cannot begin to describe how fascinating it was to even be considered to be cast in the series, it made me realise exactly what I wanted to do and achieve in the industry.
“Season two still needs to be released and I’ll be in there more. I will most definitely be reaching for the stars.
“Being part of the series is one of my greatest highlights and to be able to support my mother through modelling is a blessing for me,” she says.
She says although she does not support teenage pregnancy, she wants young moms to dream big: “My dream is for every young girl to make the best out of your life and make the most of every opportunity.”
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za