Natasha Fakier grew up in a humble single-income family. But her family was a loving and supportive one. They would always see the positive where others would see challenges. Natasha, who grew up in apartheid South Africa, worked hard to ensure financial independence, and today works as a senior data analyst at an international organisation.
“One day you could have everything you’ve ever desired, but all you actually want is your own bed and a peanut butter sandwich,” says senior data analyst Natasha Fakier. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels
Natasha Fakier remembers her childhood as a nomadic one. Due to financial reasons, the McCrae (her maiden surname) family was constantly packing up and relocating to different parts of the Western Cape. At times they were living in a shack in someone’s backyard, or in the servants’ quarters.
Constantly moving, meant that Natasha was constantly changing schools and had to learn to adapt to new environments quickly.
“It put me in good stead,” says Natasha, “because now I am very adaptable. I was forced into situations where I had to speak to new people and make new friends.”
Growing up in a household with limited financial means, never really phased Natasha, as her family always focused on the positives – regardless of the hardships that they would face.
This attitude is what Natasha still carries with her. “There’s a reason why the windscreen of the car is as big as it is and the rearview mirror as small as it is. It’s because we always need to face forward and focus on the future,” she says.
Through hard work and perseverance, Natasha has built a career in data analysis, and today works as a senior data analyst at an international organisation. But her success is built on humble beginnings.
Family-focused
Senior data analyst, Natasha Fakier remains family focused. Pictured above are her sister, Lisa (left), and her father, Errol (right). “Role model on the right, biggest blessing on the left,” she says. PHOTO: Supplied/Natasha Fakier
Natasha believes that her core value is being family-oriented. As the eldest sibling, she would always ensure that her siblings were comfortable in any situation.
Her sister, Lisa, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy a month after her birth. This forced her mother to stay at home as Lisa’s carer. Their household became a single-income one.
Natasha’s dad, Errol John McCrae, was a bricklayer all his life, she says. Although, he also worked other jobs at times, including as an apprentice at a mechanical panel beating place in Cape Town.
In 1978, her dad was gifted a plot of land from one of his employers, who knew that – more than anything – Errol wanted to give his family a home. Over weekends, Errol would go to that plot of land to build their family home, Natasha recalls. From the age of 9, she would go with him over weekends and help him on the plot.
“Whether it was painting or carrying things around, I worked with my dad,” says Natasha, who still enjoys DIY projects. “So, I’ve just always been my dad’s little worker.”
Senior data analyst Natasha Fakier enjoys DIY projects and creating her own art for her living space. This is a way for her to cope with the long hours spent behind the computer. Her love for DIY projects stems from her hands-on work with her dad during her childhood, she says. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels
Natasha speaks of her dad with great respect and admiration, and describes him as a “very competent, very knowledgeable person who knows so much about the industry”. Her dad, who passed away in May, could do everything from bricklaying, tiling, and plastering, she says.
Not an armchair activist
Natasha’s parents were extremely protective over their children. So, it was only when she started out at Livingstone High School in Claremont, after the 1984 boycotts, that she was first exposed to a life of activism.
Her friends were involved in various political agencies and when she started her tertiary education at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1987, she realised that she could be doing more to contribute to the fight against apartheid.
“I met loads of interesting people – amazing thinkers, amazing activists – who were not armchair activists. People that are making the actual change on the ground,” says Natasha. She and her friends joined what was called the ‘United Women’s Congress’, currently known as the ANC Women’s League.
From the age of 17, Natasha was involved in organising events such as marches, protests, and workshops, and was involved in educating women and making people aware of what was happening in their areas.
Her outlook on life changed drastically at this stage, and she started seeing many women as role models. “They were such amazing role models and almost mothers. They were very maternal, but they were also ordinary women,” she says, mentioning Cheryl Carolus, who became South Africa’s High Commissioner in London in 1998, as an example.
Natasha Fakier’s sister, Lisa, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy – which affects her ability to move and maintain balance and posture – a month after her birth. She is currently under Natasha’s care. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels
The accidental software developer
When Natasha started studying, she chose her subjects for all the wrong reasons. At the time, she says, she had no idea where her life would take her and no passion for anything specific. She chose to study at UCT because her friends did. And when registration came around, she went “eenie meenie miny mo” to choose her subjects. She ended up choosing Economics, Psychology, Maths, Statistics and Computer Science.
In 1989, Natasha was forced to move to Pentech, as she could no longer afford to study at UCT. It had become important for her to make money to support her studies, and so started doing data capturing for a non-governmental organisation in Bellville.
She also worked at a clothing factory, and eventually saved enough money to do a six-month Computer Science course at Pentech where she graduated top of her class.
Natasha went into the IT industry with preconceived ideas of sitting behind a computer in a dark room and hardly interacting with people. She later discovered that this was a figment of her imagination as there were many avenues that one could branch into. She also found that – unlike in many other industries – the people around her were very open about sharing their knowledge and experiences.
“I love the type of people in IT. Very nerdy, but sharp, witty, and amazingly helpful. It is based on teamwork,” she says.
Three decades later, Natasha still works in IT, and is currently senior data analyst for an international company.
“Natasha is a rare breed – competent, ethical and loyal,” says Leanne Nel, a colleague of hers whom she had worked with for years. “[Natasha] has always been someone I have relied on to get things done well. She underestimates the tremendous value she adds, both as a team member delivering work and as a caring colleague who glues teams together. I am proud to have worked alongside her in various companies and even more blessed to call her a friend.”
While Natasha’s colleagues describe her as the glue that holds their team together, her family still sees her as a person who would go out of her way to ensure that they are cared for.
Her sister, Lisa, remains one of Natasha’s biggest motivating factors. “I want to care for her and give her the best life that she can have,” says Natasha.
“When I was younger, I didn’t expect myself to end up in the IT field. But now I can’t imagine not being in this career field,” says senior data analyst, Natasha Fakier. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels