Thirteen long years

I finished secondary school in 1985 and my desire was to continue my education. I started a secretarial course after which, in 1987, I met this man who showed interest in me and wanted us to start some kind of friendship.

I later realised that friendship to him meant getting sex from me. I was only 19. I knew nothing about sex then and I did not want to get involved in it. Yet I had agreed to the friendship. In 1988 he seriously demanded sex from me. He wanted it by force. He beat me hard to get his way. This bothered me.  I left him and went into hiding at my sister's place.

He followed me to my hiding place, harassed me and inflicted more pain. I reported him to the customary court where he was heavily caned.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up