gladys Nozuko Thomas

Gladys Thomas was born in Western Cape during the uprising of black youth movement in South Africa. Ms Thomas is the first of five children and their upbringing was not ordinary, and certainly unlike that of most contemporary coloureds. Her mother, Nomntu Eunice Thomas, was an ordinary Xhosa woman, but she converted to coloured culture. In the early 60’s her parents relocated from Kensington to Guguletu and from there to Khayelitsha in 1981. Her biological father, Casper Pienaar was born in South Africa. Gladys also came from a large extended family. It was a small household that reflected a strong Afrikaans, Xhosa, Tswana and Sotho a background of first generation. Her family struggled to survive in a racist society. Gladys Step- Father Jacob Thomas presided over his large extended family in a liberal atmosphere one highly conscious of racial discrimination and the international struggle against colonialism back in the days. Many of the men in Gladys’s extended family played leading roles in the African National Congress(ANC). From a very young age Gladys started doing odd jobs while she was studying to support herself into further her studies. She worked for various industries in the past. She learned the power of spoken word at an early age, and over the years she developed a strong command support in various community movements.

Becoming an Activist

Gladys activism started early in June 2002, when she turned 30years old, she helped to raise voices for the youth of Khayelitsha, Sanele Backyarders in Khayelitsha, doing research and finding solutions for the project at the time. She was a thinker drafted the first profile for Sanele today known as Sanele PHP Community Project. She was fighting for RDP housing though short and petite, Ms Thomas became a powerful young public figure. She is strong willed and energetic. These characteristics meant that Gladys did not suffer fools and almost always got her way and no matter what the circumstances she expected no favors on the basis of gender and children.
Ms Thomas helped in Khayelitsha communities to fight crime. She acted as an ordinary patroller to help prevent crime, abuse and violence in her community also contributed with her skills. She helps and served as Secretary at Community Police Forum working together with South African Police Services (SAPS).

Gladys participates voluntary at SHEBORN organization on her open time. She helps young girls to pre