South Africa: Issie Marenda, a new person

"I am a 37 year old mother of a 12 year old son; raised by a single mother; married off traditionally at the age of 16 to a man 22 years my senior. I suffered physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and financially. I could not even choose what TV programmes to watch. He ordered me to take off a summer dress because he said it was too short to be worn by a married woman.

I suffered from low self-confidence; I felt worthless. When I told my mom about what was happening, she would tell me a woman must keep her household problems to herself. I died alone, in silence as my husband carried out so many extra marital affairs. In March 2024 I joined the Sunrise Campaign. The sun started shining again. I felt like a new creature.  When I received the R20 000 from GL I nearly fainted because I never had that amount of money in my entire life. I bought a deep freezer and stuff to start my braai business. I am a new person."

By Issie Marenda, Platfontein, Northern Cape, Kimberly.