Decriminalise sex work – Soso

Decriminalise-sex-work---Soso

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

The Day I will Never Forget – Richard

The-Day-I-will-Never-Forget---Richard

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

Entrapment – Patra

Entrapment---Patra

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

The Discreet Bushveld – Lesly

The-Discreet-Bushveld---Lesly

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

Joan’s story – Joan

Joans-story---Joan

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

Life is Outside – Pukkie

Life-is-Outside---Pukkie

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

Bring on my Call Recorder – Mya

Bring-on-my-Call-Recorder---Mya

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

The Consequences and Delinquencies of buying sex – Jamie

Consequences And Delinquencies Of Buying Sex

In June 2014, nine male and transgender sex workers gathered in Cape Town to participate in the digital story-telling workshop. Participants explore how the criminalisation of sex work, the stigma that attached to the profession and the high levels of violence in South Africa affect their daily lives.

Thabo: My Story, 21 Years Old

Thabo---My-Story

Thabo* went to prison when he was just 21 years old and was repeatedly raped during the decade he spent behind bars. Thabo attempted suicide but was not successful, unlike three other inmates he knew who were raped then took their own lives. Experiencing serious trauma and shame, Thabo struggles to interact with people. He […]

Francois: I’m A Survivor

Francois---Im-A-Survivor

Francois was violently raped twice in an Eastern Cape correctional centre, once at knife-point, and another on Valentine’s Day. He reported the rapes to the warders, but never received counseling or support. In despair, Francois attempted suicide. After being released, he sued the Department of Correctional Services, and after 10 years he accepted a settlement […]

Vincent: I Have A Purpose

Vincent---I-Have-A-Purpose

Vincent was raped by two gang members in an overcrowded cell in a Western Cape remand detention facility. This was his very first sexual experience. Vincent asked for help from nurses, wardens, priests, social workers, and even a magistrate who all rejected him and told him to expect this treatment in prison. He only received […]

Digital Stories: Gugu

Digital-Stories---Gugu

Gugu grew up in a family that didn’t talk openly about relationships and love. As a teenager, she began seeing a man who abused her and forced her to have sex without a condom. Soon Gugu was a young mother, struggling to find acceptance. Gugu wants others to listen to her story and think about […]

Digital Stories: Ephany

Digital-Stories---Ephany

When Ephany got pregnant, she dropped out of school to start her family, but her marriage ended abruptly because her husband accused her of having an affair and began to abuse her. As a single, teenage mother, Ephany had to sell sweets on the side of the road to provide for her children and put […]

Digital Stories: Andile

Andile

(Xhosa with English subtitles) Abandonment, loss, and the independence that followed prepared Andile for the difficult choices he would later make as a young adult. When he fathered a child with his girlfriend, her parents accepted him. And when he tested positive for HIV, his girlfriend pledged to be true to him, no matter what. […]

Inkosi Mncedisi’s story

Inkosi-Mncedisi-Veco

(Xhosa with English subtitles) Veco ignored his father’s advice at a young age, choosing instead to take up smoking and drinking. For many years, these habits kept Veco from measuring up to the achievements of his peers. Finally, he gave up alcohol and smoking and was able to attain job success, buy a home, and […]

Inkosi Zondi’s story

Inkosi-Zitha-Lethukuthula-Zondi

(Zulu with English subtitles) When his father became ill, Zondi was unexpectedly asked to return to his village and take his over the position of Inkosi. Although he was nervous at first, Inkosi Zondi has been able to address problems facing women, children, and youth in his community. By sharing a story about a small […]

Inkosi Mzwamandla’s story

Inkosi-Mzwamandla-Njikelana

(Xhosa with English subtitles) Inkosi Mzwamandla was told as a boy that he had royal blood, but he grew up like other boys in his village, tending animals and helping with farming. He became close to the Inkosi and was asked to take on the role following the Inkosi’s death. Mzwamandla then became aware of […]

Fezile’s story

Fezile

Taught by his grandfather to obey traditional culture, Fezile grew up tending cattle and sheep, and spending all day on the veld. Now a young adult, he realizes that a man is defined by the responsibilities he takes on in life, and he challenges strict gender roles by cooking and washing dishes for his family. […]

Sifiso

Sifiso

Sifiso describes himself as hard working, a characteristic he gets from his father. Shortly after Sifiso’s twelfth birthday, his father died of TB. When his father’s family blamed Sifiso’s mother for the death, she was forced to move away. In a spiral of grief, sadness, and loneliness, Sifiso focused on surviving for the next six […]

Nompumelelo

Nompumelelo

Nompumelelo’s story illustrates how the lack of knowledge about living with HIV and limited access to ARV treatment in rural areas causes unnecessary pain and loss. She has seen how a failure to disclose HIV status in relationships can lead to infection, and how a family’s lack of understanding can lead to fear and rejection. […]

Melikhaya

Melikhaya

(Xhosa with English subtitles) Without easy access to clean water, Melikhaya worries that his mother will not be able to recover from her illness. He also worries that his siblings may get sick from the food he prepares with contaminated water. Melikhaya’s story is a plea to government to provide clean, running water to all […]

Thulile

Thulile

Being raised by a grandparent isn’t always easy for a teenage girl. Without her mother around to talk to, Thulile felt hopeless. Her studies were suffering, and she was having arguments with friends. When Thulile’s grandmother gave her some crucial advice, she realized that all she had to do was listen. Her story depicts how […]

Nolusindiso

Nolusindiso

The AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa is placing a great burden on the children of those who are affected. Children often have to take care of the sick and then look after their younger brothers and sisters if their parents die, even when they themselves are still grieving. Nolusindiso’s story offers a moving personal account […]

Tembelani

Tembelani

(Xhosa with English subtitles) When he was a young boy, Tembelani’s mother and aunt wanted to send him to school. He chose to stay home and tend cattle – to him, this is what it meant to be a man. Later in life, Tembelani’s idea of manhood changed, and so did his attitude towards women and […]