South Africa: Well equipped to run my business

I am a survivor of GBV. At the beginning of my marriage, I thought everything was ok. We were more than husband and wife, we shared everything and shared everything like friends do. I was not aware that my now ex is having an affair. I found out that he had a child with one of his mistresses. One morning, when I woke up and made my bed, I found a knife under my pillow. Our marriage became a battlefield and sour. I went to court for a protection order, fearing for myself and my kids’ lives. He filed for divorce after two years of separation.

In 2023 I attended the GL GBV survivors’ workshop by Alpha Centre. My marriage had made me worthless, valueless but with her lessons. After the workshop I realised I can still make it in life. Through Entrepreneurship we learned about business management, financial management, business plan development. I had a business and I realized I was not running it properly. I learned a lot about business like cash flow, business plan development, customer service, etc. On 09 October 2024, I noticed an amount of R20000 on my bank account from GL. I nearly fainted. I called one of my family friends, I needed someone around because I felt like I was losing myself, and I could die with happiness. I bought enough stock, a business phone and a laptop. Now I am not afraid anymore. I am well equipped, and my business is operating. The ongoing mentorship is amazing. In years to come, I want to see myself doing business all over Africa and around the world.”

By Mantoa Paulina Mokoena, Meyerton Midvaal in South Africa.