Melodie Marlene van Brakel

What does your company do?

THE CRADLE OF HOPE is an independent social upliftment and community development organisation that assists and supports women and children in desperate need while addressing the community’s needs as they are identified. Our Vision is to empower less fortunate individuals to lead meaningful and dignified lives, encouraging them to pay it forward. We believe in a hand-up and not just a hand-out, offering help and hope, regardless of race or religion. We receive no Government Funding and we WALK IN FAITH!

What is your biggest success?

My greatest achievement has been turning personal adversity into a force for good. On Halloween night, 31 October 2003, I underwent two life-saving operations after my appendix burst, causing severe septicaemia. This near-death experience became a pivotal moment — one that ignited the vision for THE CRADLE OF HOPE. Since establishing the organisation in 2007, I have worked tirelessly to sustain and grow it, providing refuge, support, and empowerment to women, children, and families in need. Without any Government funding, we have relied solely on God’s provision, made possible through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts. Through every challenge, I have remained committed to offering hope to those who need it most. Surviving life while serving others has been my greatest achievement, and I am honoured to continue walking this path of faith, resilience, and unwavering dedication to our community. I have received countless awards Regionally as well as Nationally for the work that I, as the CEO, as well as the work that our Organisation, THE CRADLE OF HOPE, has been doing since 2007.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

One of my greatest challenges has been keeping THE CRADLE OF HOPE alive — financially, emotionally, and spiritually — while navigating the roles of wife, mother, and grandmother. Sustaining an organisation that offers hope to desperate and vulnerable individuals comes with relentless and severe strain. Covering salaries, managing operational costs, and ensuring that every person who turns to us receives the support they need is an ongoing battle — one that inevitably takes a toll on my well-being, encompassing my physical, emotional, and mental health. Beyond finances, there’s the emotional weight of the overwhelming responsibility — giving so much of myself to others while trying to hold on to my own sense of identity is challenging. Balancing service, faith, and self-preservation requires unwavering perseverance and deep commitment. Through every hardship, God has provided, and the generosity of donors has sustained us. Yet the struggle remains: to keep fighting for hope whilst safeguarding that of my own, and my family's.