My Journey

Growing up as a young Indian woman in Chatsworth, my heart was heavy. Our community carried silent scars — stories of incest hidden behind closed doors, vulnerable children hurt by the very people they trusted most, often family. Suicide touched too many lives; it felt like every week brought news of someone from our area who could no longer bear the pain.

Those dark realities haunted me. I asked myself over and over: How can I make a real difference? How can I protect the innocent, break the cycle of silence and harm?

Then, one day, I stumbled across a website that changed everything. It showed me the ancient, loving practice of infant massage— a simple, powerful way for parents to connect deeply with their babies from the very beginning.

 At first, it seemed too gentle to fight such a big darkness. But the more I learned, the clearer it became:
This wasn’t just about relaxation or better sleep. Infant massage teaches babies, right from birth, that their body is their own. By always asking permission before touch, by respecting their cues (a turned head, a little cry, a moment of stillness), we give them the earliest lesson in body autonomy and consent.

In our culture, where the words “It’s your uncle — give him a hug” are said so casually, this changes everything. We can teach our children from infancy: 
You have the right to say no.
Safe touch feels loving and respectful.
Your voice — even wordless — matters.

And the magic goes deeper. Daily massage builds an unbreakable bond. It keeps the lines of communication open — a quiet promise that says: “I am here. You can come to me first, no matter what life brings.”

Whether it’s teenage pregnancy (giving young parents confidence to hold and nurture instead of letting go), adoptive families finding their way to attachment, baby homes restoring trust to abandoned little ones, or preemie parents healing after NICU trauma — infant massage arms families with love, strength, and resilience.

That discovery became my calling. Today, as South Africa’s ONLY IMIS-Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI-AUS), I teach this lifeskill through Thula Touch — blending centuries-old nurturing techniques from African, Asian, and Indigenous traditions with modern science.

My mission is simple yet profound:
 Change the world, one baby at a time. 
Arming tiny humans with trust, confidence, and the knowledge that their bodies are sacred.
Empowering parents to be the safe harbor their children need for life.

If you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver in Durban — especially if you’re navigating the delicate journey with a preemie — come join me.

Let’s start with gentle touch… and watch it ripple outward forever.