Fan Mail

Dear Mama Mabuza,
My name is Siyabonga Malotana. My home is in Mdantsane, the second biggest township in south Africa yet not the richest. I grew and studied up there, I went to P.E Technikon for my IT diploma and I am now working at the Eastern Cape Tourism Board as an ICT Manager. Every Monday evening, you would have found me glued at my TV screen allowing your inspiration to flow through my blood vessels and jerk me up to keep dreaming, keep believing and keep living positively. You are one of the reasons I did not live up to the expectation of growing and living in ghetto.

—Thank You Mama,
Siyabonga M.

Dear Dr. Mabuza-Suttle
Some time ago, I saw an interview you did with a local show, Mutswako, which was as usual, inspiring. It is not unfounded to say that you continue to be a sterling example of what Africans, with the right frame of mind, could be. You continue to be an inspiration to scores of our young people in our country and elsewhere.

Thank you for being you, and your positive influence.

—Xhanti P.

Felicia,
You have achieved so much as a woman and a black South African. I just completed at tertiary and grow up under tough conditions. When I look at you, I feel motivated to "dare to dream".

Sometimes when you come from hardship, it almost impossible to dream. But, you show us that there is a way to climb the ladder of success despite the odds.

I want to see myself like you. I wish to be a powerful, young, black woman in my community and in the country as a whole. I hope to one day have a chance to meet you in person.

—God Bless You,
Palesa

Hi Felicia,
I have always admired your show and the way you present yourself, wardrobe, makeup and more.
I would like to know if there is a facility in South Africa where one can go to get some sort of training and grooming before starting a talk show.
Thanking you in advance and look forward to your reply.

—Angie

Hi Felicia,
I visited your website and I just want to thank you for being an inspiration to me as a young South African woman. I am a wife and mother of 3, and have been very discouraged due to the obstacles that kept me on hold from completing my studies, (I'm completing a BA in Psychology) and also the fact that I sense there are few opportunities for me as a woman in South Africa. However, after visiting your website and seeing "Dr. Felicia Mabuza-Suttle" really encouraged and inspired me as I too would like to complete a Ph.D. in psychology and be called a doctor one day and write my own books.
You are a wonderful role model to married women who want to make it out there without compromising our family relationship.
I have always watched your shows and I think you are a sexy, vivacious and beautiful woman. I know that Back of the Moon is one of the best places I've ever visited. I vividly recall the good food, good wine and especially good music with the smoky yet classy 1950's ambience. I also loved the intimacy of that place. It is truly magnificent.
I am glad that you haven't forgotten about us as I see that you are the President of South African Tourism USA, and I am proud of your achievements.
Dr. Felicia, I wish you all prosperity, in your home, your career and also most important in your spiritual life. May God richly bless you for making the best of your life thus far and May He continue to guide you in all walks of life with His hand be upon you and your family.

—Sincerely Yours,
Samantha P.

Hi Felicia, When are you coming to South Africa? We miss you so much. I love you so much.

—Ludo

Dear Felicia,
I am inviting you to grace my graduation ceremony at Marquette University on 20th May 2007. I am the only South African to have come after your footsteps, more importantly, in the College of Communication. I am very proud of you. Your name is an inspiration. You are still in the great books of this august institution. Once I am back home I will start a scholarship to at least send one person interested in Communications/Journalism to Marquette.

—Mathibela S.

Hi Aunt Felicia,
I am a 26-year-old South African. I was going through Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Women" when your name suddenly popped into my mind. I was a bit younger than I now am when I was addicted to your TV show and bought your book "Dare To Dream". The popping up of your name in my mind made me realize that I miss your presence. I believe with my heart that I am not the only one who does, there are millions of South Africans who consciously (or subconsciously) miss your enlightning presence.

I hope you are doing well where you are. I envy the people that get to be in your presence and draw out of you the power that has inspired to Dare to Dream.

May you continue to be the God's agent of enlightnement for the rest your blessed life. We all love and miss you.

God shall continue to bless you,
—Sabelo N.

Hi mum Felicia,

I just came across your Website while I was just searching the Internet. I miss you so much, Felicia. I used to watch your show on E. Please know that I love you so much, Felicia, whereever you are. You are my role model. I hope you get this email.

God Bless You !!!
—Ludo O.

May I take this moment to salute you ma Felicia,

I have consistently taken note of your trailblazing ways and every time I am always inspired. I want to say thank you for all the wonderful things (some known and some not) you have done for and in South Africa. I haven't yet met anyone so passionate about South Africa and its potential. I cannot begin to tell you how much I respect you for daring to dream, for daring to believe that you are more than what your circumstances dictate and more than that spreading that message to all who will listen. Know that you are always in my heart and I pray that God will richly bless you.

South Africa has been blessed to have given birth to one who would spread the message of a South Africa brimming with possibilities. We truly feel extended in our sphere of influence because of you and many others like you.

Regards,
—Yongama N.

Good Day Mama Felicia,
I saw you the other day on Motswako and it reminded me of the good old days of your talk shows. I was young, but some of the topics you touched are still fresh in my mind. I felt the passion you spoke of when you talked about your daughters. You had this spark which said I am proud of my daughters.

God does not give you a burden that you can not handle. I get inspired by people like you who stand up no matter what the odds are.

Keep up the good work!
—Kgatho M.

Hello Dr. Suttle,
I just wanted to tell you what an extreme pleasure it was to meet you in Cape Town and Durban. I watch you all the time on the Africa channel and I have a picture of us together that I will add to my website.

I'm so sorry to hear you will leaving at the end of the month. I'm sure you have many other avenues to venture down. I would still like to keep in contact with you. If it had not been for you, I would have never been invited on this last trip. The contacts that I made are going to help me bring even more guests to South Africa.

Thank you and have a great weekend.
—Rochelle S.

Felicia,
I wanted to write and thank you again for your wonderful hospitality and guidance for my South Africa trip. I had such a wonderful time. I am sad it was short. I was very moved by South Africa's beauty, history, culture and people. What a great experience it was. I look forward to many more visits!!
Thank you again for everything.

—Ariel

Dear Sir/Madam,
broadcasting the "Where in the World is Matt Lauer".....His last stop was Cape Town South Africa and at one point he was talking to a Dr. Felicia Suttle, President of South African Tourism.It really caught my attention because, she was my lecturer at Patricia Stevens College in Milwuakee Wisconsin. I'd love to get in touch with her.

Very Sincerely,
—Sandra

Good day Felicia,
My name is Anne. I used to watch your shows. I think that you did a fantastic job in healing the nation.

I always used to cry when tears were needed. I wish though they could bring back your show even if it is just the repeat of those remarkable years. You are my inspiration and role model. You have worked so hard to get to where you are. I would love to have my own talk show one day.
Good luck in all you do.
—Anne

Good morning "Madame Ambassador for South African Tourism",
Congratulations on the great work and the exposure for South Africa on the "Today Show" this morning Excellent! Could see your hand in it. Well done!

—Cathe K.

Hi Felicia,
When are you coming back to South Africa? We miss you. The young people, we need you back, to come and celebrate the achievement young people are making in the country. Career wise, musically and artistically we are doing it for ourselves. We need your motivation and inspiration. Please come back. We love you so much.

—Tumelo T.

Felicia,
Your departure to the United States has robbed Africa of one of its greatest assets. We know you are fulfilling your country's call, but still we admire you and miss you from a distance. Good luck and we hope you will come back one day.

—Kgomotso M.

Dear Felicia,
It has been many years, but I recently came upon your address and felt compelled to drop you a note. I must tell you that you left a formidable impression on me; you helped me understand that passion is admirable in journalists, and that we are limited only by the confines of our imagination.

In short, I congratulate you, but not as much for the well-deserved success that you have earned in your long career, but for the success of students, such as myself, who have been able to harness their passion and hone their skills in the myriad corners of the journalism world.
Best wishes and thank you,
—Michael B.

Felicia:
How is America treating our queen? I think you should come back to South Africa because we miss the Felicia Show.

I think you are great role model for young South Africans like me.

Wishing you all the best with all you do, I love you Felicia. Take care.

—Radiefa S.

Dumela MoAfrika,
I am glad to hear you are now busy working on South African tourism. I would love to help improve the image of our country the world over.

—Kopano P.

Hi Felicia,
I just visited your website and WOW!! What an impressive record you have! Congratulations on your achievements!
—Angus M.

Hi Mama Felicia,
I love you so much. You are my role model! Keep doing what you do best.

—Gladys M.

Dear Felicia --
I am inviting you to grace my graduation ceremony at Marquette University. I am the only South African to have come after your footsteps, more importantly, in the College of Communication. I am very proud of you. Your name is an inspiration. You are still in the great books of this august institution. Once I am back home, I will start a scholarship to at least send one person interested in communications to Marquette.
—Mathibela S.

Hi Felicia,
I am amazed about your achievements. Truly, you are a great role model to me and to many other young black women. I wish you still had your show in South Africa, because it was a great show for the nation. I wish you all the best in life. And thank you for being you.
Love,
—B.K.

Dear Felicia,
Greetings from Milwaukee. I just happened to come across your Website and thought I'd drop you a line. Just when I think you will sit back and relax, you keep making progress. What an inspiration you are to those of us who want to sit on our laurels. We went to South Africa last year and had a great time. Things have changed so much in our country.
Sincerely,
—Constanz H.

Hi Doc,
I was so pleased to see you on Motswako show and suddenly remembered the days when you used to be in South Africa and we used to watch FMS productions. We really enjoyed your show and we miss you dearly.

I must be honest you inspired me a lot then and you still do. I always dreamed of having my own business and through your inspiration I am getting to realize my dream.
Regards,
—Bongi

Hi Mama Felicia,
I'm 23 years old and I always tell my friends that I would love to be your personal assistant, so that I could learn how to be a better person. You are such an inspiration to some of us who don't have mothers. Please keep up the awesome work.
God bless you,
—Meme

Felicia dearest:
Well, trust you to always push the South African card! You were always an ambassador for our country long before you were president of South Africa's tourism efforts in the USA! I am sure you are in your element! By the way, did I ever congratulate you on being a doctor? Remember your aspiration of having alphabets behind your name? Now you have achieved the largest alphabets of all (PhD.)!
Congratulations, you never fail to inspire me!
—Rosemary

Felicia,
I don't know what South African Tourism pays you, but whatever it is, it is not enough!

No one, and I mean no one, could be such a compelling ambassador as you are. You are truly amazing at what you do for South Africa.
Again, many, many thanks for your efforts.
—Teresa

Hi Felicia,

Just wanted to thank you for being such an inspiration to me. I am 24 years old and I am about to qualify as a chartered accountant to take on the business
world just like you.

I thank God for being where I am today. People like you went ahead and proved to people like me that you can come from nowhere and end up very far.

Keep up the excellent work.

Kind regards,
Londiwe