Zoleka Mandela has decided to open up on being a victim of sexual abuse since her childhood.
The star has never made this kind of revelation before but being her first time, she decided to break down things as she began by sharing a quote by Jeanne McElvany which reads, “Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.”
Zoleka shared a picture of herself when she was really little revealing she she spent years and years blaming herself for the abuse she received from both the men and the women in her life.
“This is me as a child, I spent decades blaming myself, believing that all the sexual abuse by both the men and women in my life, I deserved.”
Thinking that was all, the star shared since she took that picture, she was abused thereafter.
The activist mentioned she attempt to commit suicide severally and she got addicted to sex and drugs.
“Not knowing that I would be physically and sexually abused even more (after this picture was taken) … convinced that I didn’t deserve more.”
“I’ve hated myself “so much that my many suicidal attempts, were an attempt at ending a life I didn’t deserve, so much that my addiction to sex, drugs and alcohol was an attempt at numbing the self hate I felt for decades because I was desperate to feel something good because I felt I didn’t have the right and strength to live.”
Zoleka is now strong and has passed by what she went through and she is proud to say she is a survivor of depression and anxiety.
“But I am more than what happened to me, more than someone who used to self harm or cut themselves, I am far more than an addict, a survivor of depression and anxiety, more than a survivor. I am deserving of the life I want for myself, I am strength, I am self love, I am worthy, I am love, a fighter and I am a force to be reckoned with. I am Zoleka!”
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