Despite being severely burned by a devastating home fire started by a candle when she was just 11-months-old (which cost her an ear, fingers and later an arm), Itumeleng has worked tirelessly to overcome adversity. One of her recent feats has seen her turn her fear of candles on its head—she’s running a candle-making business that’s inspiring others to shine brighter than their fears!
Morningside, South Africa (18 February 2025) — An inspiring woman named Itumeleng Sekhu-Pedi makes candles. Itumeleng’s candles aren’t like other candles you might find at a big store, though. They’re symbols. Trophies of overcoming adversity. Wax and colour and scents that say ‘I overcame my deepest fear, this is my proof’.
When Itumeleng was 11-months-old, a devastating house fire changed the trajectory of her life in moments. It took her ear, her fingers, and eventually, her arm. The burns were severe. The trauma, immense. All this, from a candle.
It was clear that Itumeleng’s journey was going to be different. But, Itumeleng decided that if this was going to be the case, she was going to make it the kind of different that inspires.
Multiple reconstruction surgeries (104 at that) and many lows and highs later, and Itumeleng has turned the thing that at once took away so much, into something that’s giving a unique kind of peace to others, and herself.
A proud mom, BA Audiovisual communications graduate, a former content producer for a popular radio station, a writer and motivational speaker, Itumeleng now adds ‘businesswoman who turned her fear on its head’ to the feathers in her cap.
“I knew one of my biggest phobia’s were anything that was hot, electric blankets, gas heaters, gas stoves etc, and CANDLES,” Itumeleng explains.
In 2017, she decided to start making candles herself in an effort towards healing.
“The first time I made them I cried my eyes out,” she recalls. But then, something important started to happen.
“The more I made them, the better I started to feel.”
Itumeleng says that there was inward pain in making those initial candles. But, she didn’t stop creating because the pain was far from the only emotion that rushed to the surface.
“I felt so much calmness, serenity and peace, and one day after posting them on Facebook, a few people enquired about how much they are that’s when it dawned on me—give people this calmness, serenity, peace and healing you get from candles.”
Itumeleng’s candle business, IS Candles, has become a great source of hope for others wishing to take their power back. But, this is largely because of the woman behind them.
“Nothing can stop this dynamo who learnt how to drive with one arm and type 35 words per minute with one thumb,” The Angel Network SA who have helped pave Itumeleng’s recent path, beam.
With help from the Angel Network, Itumeleng was able to get her start in the local market scene.
“Did I not know that markets were going to change our lives and grow our business to the next level,” Itumeleng says; thanking the Angel Network’s Glynne Goldberg Wolman for all the help.
The Angel Network first crossed paths with Itumeleng and her husband at a critical time in which it was all hands on deck to help the hungry.
“We first met Itumeleng and her charming husband at the start of COVID when they sourced, packed and delivered hundreds of thousands of food parcels to our beneficiaries across Gauteng. During the July 2021 riots they were instrumental in helping us truck millions of rands of groceries to KZN,” the Angel Network recall.
The Angels describe Itu, as she is lovingly called, as one of their brightest stars. As such, giving back to her was an effort they were more than happy to undertake.
“We are thrilled to have been able to give Itu the hand up she so richly deserves.”
Reflecting on what the candles have taught her, Itumeleng puts it beautifully:
“I always say a candle tried to burn me, it also tried to ruin me but that very same candle lives within me and that candle is shining bright so let your candle also shine bright. The world is waiting for you.”
You can find Itumeleng’s candles at the Morningside Shopping Centre this Friday and Saturday.
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