NGCOBO- Born and raised in Cape Town originally from Ngcobo, Thandokazi Ntshinga has transformed her personal pain into a powerful platform for healing launching Sober Plug, a growing sobriety movement that is helping others choose clarity over chaos.
Now based in Cape Town, Ntshinga, 32 is the founder of Sober Plug a support-driven initiative that reimagines what it means to live freely without alcohol. Her story, marked by loss, addiction and ultimately, transformation is resonating with people across South Africa.
A former student of Commercial Photography at CPUT and Journalism at Damelin, Ntshinga’s studies were cut short by her battle with alcohol abuse. “Alcohol took a lot from me,” she says. “It numbed my pain, silenced my dreams and almost made me forget who I was meant to be.”
Her turning point came after the tragic loss of her brother to suicide two years ago. Ntshinga, who had been grappling with her own unresolved trauma, says the grief opened a deep wound and forced her to reflect on her choices.
“He was struggling with mental health and I didn’t support him the way I should have. For a long time, I blamed myself,” she said.
Despite multiple attempts to stop drinking, it wasn’t until December 2024 during a lonely festive season in Cape Town while her family was in the Eastern Cape that she confronted herself. “I had money to drink, but I felt empty. That’s when I asked, ‘What do I really want from life?’”
Furthermore she began journaling, hiking and reconnecting with healthier habits. She distanced herself from toxic influences, both online and in real life and began speaking to herself with kindness and honesty. “I realised that I’m not my mistakes. I still had a chance to become who I was meant to be but only if I removed alcohol.”
In addition in April 2025, Sober Plug was born. The name, she explains, came from the idea of being a ‘plug‘ a source not for substances but for sobriety, healing and hope. “Everywhere you go, people talk about plugs the source of something. I wanted to be the plug for sobriety. A space where people can connect, heal and grow.”
Ntshinga began sharing her journey openly online and the response was immediate and emotional. “People told me, ‘You’re the first person who looks like us and talks about this so openly.’ That’s when I knew I was walking in purpose.”
Ten months sober now, Ntshinga is building a community mostly through digital platforms and real-life meetups of individuals who are ready to rewrite their stories and prioritise their well-being. “Every day, people message me saying they’ve started journaling, exercising, or simply choosing themselves. Some even say they’ve been able to stop taking anxiety medication. That’s the power of choosing yourself,” she added.
While many celebrate her transformation, there are still reminders of her past. “People love to remind you who you used to be. But I’m focused on who I’m becoming,” she says with resolve.Sober Plug is still growing, but Ntshinga’s impact is already being felt particularly among young people who often feel isolated in their struggle with addiction and mental health.
What began as a personal decision has now become a shared movement and through it all, the Ngcobo-born trailblazer remains grounded in one simple message: “You can still become who you were meant to be.”
You can join Ntshinga’s movement by following her on Facebook @Thandokazi Ntshinga
Photographs: supplied
