I Want to Make You Smile By Lindelwa Ntutela

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I Want to Make You Smile by Lindelwa Ntutela

I Want to Make You Smile: A Family Memoir of Resilience shares our family’s journey through the duality of grief and purpose, shedding light on the deeply personal and culturally distinct aspects of caring for a loved one with dementia in an African context. This book is a tribute to the life and legacy of our beloved sister, Smileth Ncunyiswa, affectionately known to many as “Smiza.” More than a memoir, it is a call to social justice, grounded in our family’s experience of home-based caregiving-an approach that embraces the humanity of Alzheimer’s patients amidst the profound challenges.A former student of Healdtown High School and St. John’s College in Eastern Cape, Smiza was a dedicated educator. She served as both a teacher and school principal in Soweto. With a Master’s Degree in Education, her career even took her as far away as Hungary, in Eastern Europe. Diagnosed in 2012 while attending Harvard’s Educational Leadership Program in Boston, USA, as a visiting fellow, she is now in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and receiving hospice care at home.Through a socio-biographical lens, I reveal Smiza’s battle with Alzheimer’s, highlighting the complex realities faced by Black individuals living with dementia in South Africa-a condition often misunderstood, underfunded, and underserved. In a society where stigma and cultural misconceptions persist, people with dementia can be left feeling dehumanized, isolated, and invisible. As a social scientist and caregiver, I bridge our personal experience with broader social realities, using a sociological lens to show that Alzheimer’s is not just a personal tragedy but a public issue in urgent need of awareness and resources.With Alzheimer’s dementia rates increasing sharply among Black elders, the need for culturally sensitive support and practical caregiving solutions has become critical. I Want to Make You Smile aims to catalyze understanding, inspire social change, and provide a lasting source of support for home-based caregivers across South Africa.This book is my most purposeful work- a prophetic mission to honor Smileth’s legacy.