19 Oct 2023

The book’s title “The Anointed Maid in Stilettos” does not only sound intriguing but triggers a lot of ideas, even to guess if it’s a work of fiction or a biography. 

Though it might be hard to determine the sense of meaning of the book, based on the title alone, the book is about a woman who plies her trade as a maid, yet spiritual and chic.

It explores the intersection of faith, fashion and the role of women in both the church and the wider world. The 43-page book is authored by Evelyn Motseothata nee Phuthego, a proud and resilient maid, highly spirited, anointed woman who is not shy to wear stilettos to boardrooms and meetings.

The book is not only inspirational and motivating but also aims to change the mindset of how people perceive life in general. It speaks about trials and tribulations, and how one has to be able to adjust and diversify in order to have a sustainable livelihood.

The title of the book narrates Motseothata’ s three aspects of her life, the first one being her calling or profession of being a maid, the second being the spiritual life and thirdly the stilettos, which is her slaying in the boardrooms(meetings) looking for tenders.

Motseothata popularly known as Evey, has now found pleasure and peace in cleaning her client’s homes and affectionately known as the Anointed Maid due to her dedication to her job and to The Lord. “The Anointed Maid in Stilettos is my best because it is about me, my life and it will remain my best because it outlines the journey of my life,” she said.

Motseothata said in an interview that the book is for any persons on their way to make self-discovery as well as for any persons going through situations, especially divorce and feeling forsaken. Narrating her story, Motseothata developed the love for arts at tender age, while a mere standard four pupil. She grew with this love hence after finishing Form Five at Francistown Secondary School, she got a full time employment at Ghetto Artist Production, which is an arts and creative company, to pursue her artistic dream.

While working there, her parents found her a job as a health worker at Zwenshambe and Moroka clinics, because she had attended several certificated workshops on health issues, including HIV/AIDS.   

Although she accepted her parents offer, it did not give her the satisfaction as she was now addicted to the artistic life. In an effort to realise her dream she took a leap of faith and applied for a school in South Africa but that was when she was on the verge of being married. “I have to choose between marriage and school but I opted for marriage.”

Having secured another chapter of live, the then zealous and fireball embarked on a sojourn to fulfil the lost opportunity and went to South Africa where she had made connections to join Rhythm City cast and was also booked for Afrikaans soapies seven de laan and Binnelanders series amongst others. While pursing what she loved most, her marriage was compromised and the verge of collapse and had to drop everything to return home to save whatever was left.

Despite her keenness to save it, her efforts were futile. “The once strong bond between me and my husband was fractured and we eventually parted ways,” said Motseothata. Quizzed on what prompted her to pen the eight-chapter book, Motseothata said she wanted to share her life experiences with other people.

“We all want to be at the top of our game and be successful in our lives, but sometimes we find ourselves in situations we never anticipated, and they either strengthen or crash us.” The story of a person who was once a bride and living a comfortable life to being a maid, not just a maid, but an anointed maid, is worth sharing.

“All these led me to start a job as a maid. I had no support nor academic back-up to fall back on. My marriage and the family business that I had with my ex-husband was all that I had known and mastered for almost my entire life.”

To overcome her tribulations, Motseothata sought solace from God, and is not only a born again but a staunch Christian. The Anointed Maid in Stilettos is the first book to her name though she is planning to write other books. “I have an idea of writing another book which I will turn it into a film in the future. The book is selling like hot cakes because the first batch of 50 copies are now running out of stock and by next week, I will be printing 50 copies again,” she added. ENDS