Submitted by: Linda Maponyane
I came to Johannesburg in 2003, seeking greener pastures. The harvest was, unfortunately, not as green as I had anticipated. I found myself working as a domestic worker in Mulbarton, south of Johannesburg. A month later my “madam” got me a job in an office in City Deep as a tea lady/cleaner.
In 2005, I registered to get a degree in psychology, which took longer than normal to complete because not only was I the only breadwinner in my family, but I had to build my mom a house after her mud house was destroyed during heavy rain storms. Because of other responsibilities that demanded my pocket, it took me a decade to finish my part-time degree.
#ImStaying because someone needs to hear my story to encourage them to rise and win!
While in pursuit of my destiny, I was kidnapped, robbed, and raped, and ended up in theatre in order to stop the heavy bleeding. The doctors worked on me for more than seven hours. I was on ARVs for 28 days and still had an STI three months later.
Today, I am a psychology graduate, a candidate for an honours degree in communications, the author of a book entitled “Shadows of my Scars”, and the Managing Director of Kenako Media House.
#ImStaying because someone needs to hear my story to encourage them to rise and win!
