Gafeetha Santon's Journey: From drug addiction to business success

A Mitchell's Plain mother of three who knows what it’s like to reach rock bottom, from homelessness to drugs and gangs, has risen from the ashes to become a successful entrepreneur and addiction therapist.

As Women’s Month drew to an end, 41-year-old Gafeetha Santon is keen to share her story of hope.

A reformed drug addict, Santon was once married to a prominent gang member, and is today an entrepreneur of Diamond Liquid Gel, an all purpose washing powder. 

She is also a qualified Recovery Assistant for addiction and has completed her studies in adult education and various other courses.

"I was 21 years old when I took my first hit from a meth pipe, and I was a young mom. My partner was already using it, and out of curiosity, I asked him to show me how.

"The moment my lips touched that pipe, I was hooked," she said. I lost my job eventually, and with it, my sense of direction. I started doing things I never thought I was capable of, things that would have deeply shamed me had I not been numb from the drugs. I found myself homeless, strung out, and hopeless and the only thoughts that filled my mind were ways to end it all. By the time I realised what it was doing to me, the damage seemed irreversible. My children were growing up, seeing both their parents caught in addiction. 

“In 2011, I experienced what I can only describe as a spiritual awakening. 

“I walked into Sultan Bahu Rehabilitation Centre and after completing my eight-week programme, I was asked to stay on as a volunteer and a few months later, I became a team leader. 

"I enrolled at UWC and qualified as a Recovery Assistant and pursued studies in adult education and completed various courses."

She said her next chapter saw her once again down and out, but she was not ready to give up. 

“At 40, my health was suffering, and I found myself missing more and more work.

"It felt unfair to the organisation I loved and served, so I made the difficult decision to resign and focus on my health," she said.

“In April this year, I had only R100 and some loose change in my pocket. I didn’t know how I would provide for my children, all I knew how to do was pray.

“God answered my prayers, a couple approached me, they told me about a product they had created: Diamond Liquid Gel.

“I wiped my tears, prayed for courage, and recorded a video on TikTok to promote it. The video went viral. The first thing I did with the money was buy diapers for my son. 

“Today, Diamond Liquid Gel is my only source of income.

"I attend markets and am promoting the product with the aim to take it across South Africa.

"Believe in yourself, trust the process, pray, and surrender everything that is out of your control to a God of your understanding."

To follow her: @faeetha911/ Instagram@diamindsparkledetergent/ Facebook: Gafeetha Diamond Sparkle

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus