I am Joyce Mojapelo, 33 years old, and my life’s journey has been shaped by both deep loss and incredible restoration. I grew up in a warm, loving home with both my parents. My father was gentle and kind; my mother was strict yet deeply caring, generous, and protective. Childhood was filled with laughter, sports, and ambition. I excelled in athletics and volleyball, even earning the opportunity to represent District 4. After Matric, my dream was to study journalism. Among my friends, I was the investigator, the one who dug up stories and kept everyone informed. But in 2008, my world turned upside down.

In November that year, I lost my father to a stroke. Just eight months later, in July 2009, my mother went to work one Saturday and never returned. She had shown no signs of illness. At just 17, I was forced to navigate the unreality of losing both parents in less than a year. I couldn’t grieve fully; I had to stay strong for my younger brother. My dreams felt buried alongside my mother, and fear took hold of me-fear of dreaming, of planning for the future, and of dying suddenly.

To make matters worse, rejection from relatives left me feeling unwanted and undeserving of a good life. Five months after my mother’s passing, my brother and I moved to Echo Youth Development Centre (A place of safety). Even before we arrived, God already begun sending help through Pastor Fortune Khubayi, who supported us when he could. At Echo, I experienced something I desperately needed: unconditional love. Even when I pushed people away, they remained patient and refused to give up on me. Strangers became vessels of God’s promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.

During my time there, we often took part in outreach trips to underprivileged villages, such as Matlala in Limpopo. Those experiences planted a seed in my heart- a passion for bringing hope to the hopeless by sharing my story. I later realised that this was my mother’s influence; she often welcomed Zimbabwean women into our home, gave them food, and gave them clothes.

The loss of my parents triggered years of depression and anxiety. The fear of death consumed me so much that I avoided setting long-term goals. I honestly didn’t believe I’d live past 25. But when I did, I made a choice to be intentional about my healing. I sought therapy, committed to prayer, and took antidepressants when necessary. The journey was far from perfect; there were moments when I stopped treatment altogether. But over time, I embraced the process. Therapy helped me recognise my triggers, to unlearn destructive behaviors, and most  importantly, heal my inner child. God proved to be a God of restoration. He renewed my dreams, restored my confidence, and showed me that my pain could serve a greater purpose. Today, I am the Chairperson of Focus Mamelodi Community NPO, an organisation addressing social challenges. Life still has challenges, but my approach is different now. I know that healing is not a destination; it is a lifelong journey. The pain may have shaped me, but it no longer defines me.

On 23 August, Focus Mamelodi Community NPO will host an Anti-Abuse Campaign to educate the community about the consequences of abuse and the importance of complete healing. I hope that my story reminds others that no matter how dark the road feels, restoration is possible.

If there is one truth I have learned, it is this: You are not what happened to you. Your past may shape you, but it does not have to limit you. Healing is possible-and with God by your side, nothing is impossible.

Socials:

My TikTok account :@mmusi.elevate
Facebook: JJ. Elavate

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If I knew today was the end of the world,
I wouldn’t have woken up.
I wouldn’t have forgotten to make my bed,
I wouldn’t have rushed out without kneeling to pray.
Instead, I scrolled on my phone till past eight,
I envied those I did not personally know.

If I knew the world was ending today,
I would have eaten more and taken a bath to wash away the buggy eyes on my face.
A result of staying up too late yesterday,
Trying to replace the hours for the job I hate.

If I knew the world was ending today,
I would have called to tell my parents,
“I’m sorry I never said thank you,”
Especially to my father,
Before he passed away.

I would have fulfilled the promise I made to myself ten years ago-
To travel the world and look fear straight in the face.
Because I’ve been so afraid
To live an authentic life,
To do the things I wanted to do.
But now that the day is coming to an end,
And the earth hasn’t shaken,
I haven’t felt any earthquakes,
And there’s a possibility of another day.
If I knew the world wasn’t ending today,
I will wake up early and remember to pray.

Maybe even start that hobby,
I’ve always said I would.
I will make my bed and take a warm shower.
I will eat so much food until I say,
” I thin I’ve had enough for today”
I will call my parents and thank them for all they did-
Maybe if I had done that before hearing the news of my father’s passing,
I would finally be at peace.

If I knew the world wasn’t ending today,
I will quit my job and use the money I’ve saved
To write beautiful poetry,
Then travel the world and visit all the places I’ve always wished to see.

Because I’m tired of saying I would have,
And I want to live a life of ” I will”

By LuSee

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Life With Me
Why does life with me
Feel so hard?
Like a maid,
Like a slave,
Worst of all —
Like an orphan.

Everything I do
Feels heavy, cursed.
I’m treated like a trashed bin,
A donkey led astray —
No one hears my cries.

Death whispers daily:
This world isn’t for you.
But I cling to strength,
Though I feel useless.
I trust in God—
My help will come.

BY: SENSELINA GURIRAS

DIE_SPECIAL_CHERRY_DIDI (@special_wifey_vio) • Instagram photos and videos

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When people died, I used to think it was not that serious. I don’t know why… maybe it was because they were not close to me. Then my brother died, and that’s when it hit me – how precious life is. The thought of never seeing him again and of him never coming back to life… How I was never going to talk to him again was what brought me greater pain. It took time for it to sink in,  and even when I finally accepted it, I couldn’t believe that someone who held the most important place in my heart was gone and I would never see him again. It hurt so much because when he died, I was just a little girl, so every day, I would look at his pictures and say, “bro it’s been long since you left. When are you coming back? I miss you.” The fact that we shared the same birthday hurts me even more. I would say, “until you come back, I will not celebrate my birthday.” The feeling is unbearable, and it has made me realise that as a person, you don’t always decide where life takes you; therefore, you must embrace it with every chance you get.

Written by Patience Phiri

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