Matilda Sibanyoni –Schneider was born on the 20th December at Kwa-Quqa location in Witbank (today Emalahleni), Mpumalanga as a first granddaughter of Makgate/Makgata clan. She is the only daughter of Mr. David Sibanyoni and Ms. Martha Mangiare Makgate/Makgata in the family of three children. Her parents divorced during her teenage stage and her mother was remarried to Mr. AJ Nkosi. She started her primary school in the early 80s at Arethabeng School at Jane Furse and she matriculated in 1994 at Profin School at Emalahleni.
During the 90s she was studying History as her favorite subject at high school level and she was involved in writing some journals. She was the best student in History class. She decided to study audio and visual communications as a special course in 1996 after her granparents passed on. Her grandparents (Mmagophethedi and Satiba Makagate) were her fountain of thirst. She studied journalism diploma in 2000 after she was disappointed by the African Race Relations institution for bursary in 1995 to further her law studies. In 1997 she collaborated with professional elders from Hlatlolanang to establish Sekhukhune Community Radio (SK fm 98.7) as a volunteer and she was involved with the community radio sector for almost fourteen (14) years.
Matilda's character show signals of leadership, community asset, a go-getter, versatile, innovative and inquisitive woman. She was representing youth and women in several organizations namely; Crans Montana Forum New Leaders of Tomorrow in Belgium (Brussels) in 2010, South African Youth Council National (SAYC) as an NWC member 2009, Youth Chamber Unity Movement of South Africa (YCUMSA) as a treasurer 2009, NAFCOC Women Chamber Limpopo as a Treasurer and she was also a marketing and research manager at Sekhukhune Community Radio (SK FM 98.7) in 2008/2011 and a brainy one at that field; which makes her a complete media person. She established a construction & communications company (Tucza Business Enterprise). All these positions she made a mark and mostly for attaching her signature in the hearts of young people in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, South Africa at large through her zest at her early age.
She completed Global Economic Policies Postgraduate Diploma at Universitat Kassel & Berlin School of Economics and law under Global Labour University in 2011 Berlin, Germany. She completed Gender Labour Studies Diploma at Workers' College under University of Kwa Zulu Natal in 2010, she completed Safety, Health & Environment certificate with Mining Qualifications Authority in 2010 and Journalism Diploma in 2001. Matilda was a Station Manager for Moutse Community Radio Station (MCRS 96.3) in 2012/2013.
She established "A diary of a soldier" project in 2002, she influenced by her grandpa's old diary that was a souvenir from the old man before he passed on. She translated the diary it into English language and conducted lengthy research of the information for usage as a book before it can be published as a "Mystery African soldiers 1939/1945". It was her first project but because of lack of financial muscles she didn’t manage to finish the research and she started to write her biography book titled "Crazy Matilda" and a novel book titled "Makgoma".
She is in the process of finalizing all the above mentioned books. Matilda published a poetry book "Africa My Africa." The book it's about her spiritual gratifying journey to enlighten black consciousness (esp. culture, identity and reclaiming our aboriginal) in a lionizing attitude through poetry.
She was fortunate enough to travel European countries like Germany, Belgium and Italy in 2011 whilst she was studying. She visited several places especially historic museums and concentration camps in Berlin where her grandpa was captured as a prisoner of World War II. She is married to Bastian Schneider from Berlin, Germany on the 08 May 2013 in Jane Furse, South Africa. Currently, she is living in Berlin, Germany.
Her recent project is " My Wings!." My Wings! is website women magazine. She named the magazine My Wings! because she believes in African spiritual powers that human beings are like birds. The magazin is a ladder or a platform for women. It will focus on encouraging and sharin their successful stiories especially their work experiences, economical and social developments. During her interview in 2013 with Ms. Mahlogonolo Phokanoka she said; "The magazine of course is different from our competitors as we are focusing on the grassroot women of colours, especially the role model for young girls in their daily lives in Southern Africa" and European countries. We don't have to look far when we identify our African Empresses."