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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Like it or not, friendships are not without their difficulties and obstacles. Like any relationship, friendships are built on trust and a common understanding and maybe even a certain level of expectation. Which is why telling a friend the truth about something can be tricky. Especially when that truth is not pretty. I know I have struggled in the past with being honest with friends and it took some trial and error to get it right. But if there is one thing I have learnt over the years it is that some truth is better than no truth. And that most times, the truth finds its way out anyways.

And I know all too well that I would rather hear something difficult from a friend than a stranger. So how do you go about telling your friend something difficult. Like maybe you saw their spouse cheating, or that you are dating their ex. Or maybe the truth you want to share is that you got the promotion at work they wanted.  What ever it is there are always three things to keep in mind when wanting to share the truth with a loved one, and especially a friend.

1. Timing: Whilst timing is everything, this does not mean putting off telling the truth for another day or week. Instead,  Decide within a week that when you are alone, and not confronted with any big life changes or drama (on both your ends) you will tell them the truth.
2. Be gentle: If there is one thing I often like to think about it is how I would like to hear difficult news. Often it is with some kindness. Even if those news or that truth are difficult to hear. Because if someone comes at you in a way that feels like an attack. The natural thing to do is to become defensive and even blame them for the situation instead of hearing them out.
3. Face to face: I still remember a former friend telling me some difficult things over text. Whilst this was surely easier for her. It made it worse for me who was on the receiving end. In part because I was left with my own thoughts. But also because it is so much easier to write things you don’t mean than it is to say them. The whole situation got blown out of proportion on both ends and now sadly that friendship is done. So whilst it may be hard, face to face is always best.

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