Origin Story
“It took a terrifying carjacking to open my eyes to something incredible about my mother. That moment shattered how I used to see her and helped me realize her strength and courage in ways I couldn’t fully grasp before. Once I heard her story, I saw her in a whole new light and could finally put into words what I had always felt deep down. Here’s the thing: every single one of us has a mother, grandmother, or mother figure with untold stories of everyday heroism—stories that often go unnoticed. The World Mother Project is on a mission to change that by highlighting the wisdom, skills, and intelligence of mothers through art and storytelling.”
-MURRAY NOSSEL
In 2006, my parents, in Johannesburg, were carjacked at gunpoint and held hostage in their car for three hours. Victims of carjackings were frequently killed lest they alert the police (who could track the car via GPS). My mother was calm, accepting that she and my father would die that night. She only spoke once, asking their captors to spare her very sick husband. When the car finally stopped at a deserted gold mine, my parents were ordered out of the car. My mother refused, and they were transferred to another car. She then asked the new driver why he engaged in crime. He was apologetic, explaining that he had no other way to feed his children. My mother understood—she had grown up in poverty too. She even apologized for apartheid, which had granted her privilege, though she urged him to find another way. Finally, my parents were returned home.
In the days following the carjacking, I shared the story with friends to process the shock of it, including Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, who served on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. What struck Pumla most was my mother’s kindness. This surprised me. If asked to describe my mother, I would name her passion—especially for music—and her pursuit of excellence, elegance, and loyalty. Kindness was not a quality I had immediately associated with her. But in having her kindness reflected back to me, I began to see her anew. That moment transformed my understanding of who she was. The result was an ovewhelming, inexpicable sense of gratitude for my life, my personal and ancestral histories and my connection to other beings. I began to wonder what would be the impact if every person would listen to their mother's story (or those of other mother figures) . Recognizing kindness, even in difficult histories, requires deep listening—with open minds and hearts. This is not always easy, especially for those who have known pain or loss. But by listening to the stories of the people who have shown us kindness,and to whom we’ve shown kindness, we uncover love’s presence in our world.