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 […]
Fezile’s story
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 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’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
(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
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 […]
