After Pearl’s funeral Zodwa was living alone. The community and the school knew of her problem and came together to help. Since she was a bright child, the school Principal Mrs Ndola, decided to adopt her. Zodwa agreed and she went to live with Mrs Ndola and her husband.

Things didn’t get off well with Zodwa in her new home. Her adoptive parents were constantly fighting in front of her. They put each other down in front of her and cursed, just verbally abusing each other all the time. Zodwa was not used to this kind of environment because her parents never used to do that. She had no other option but to try and ignore it. She had no other place to stay and she didn’t meddle in married people’s affairs.

One night there was a parents’ meeting at the school. As the principal Mrs Ndola had to go. Zodwa was left alone with Mr Ndola. Zodwa was preparing dinner when Mrs Ndola left the house and when she was done, she went to take a bath. Mr Ndola got in the bath room and told Zodwa that he wanted to take a leak.

Zodwa was still innocent in mind and spirit, so she saw nothing wrong with her ‘father’ using the toilet while she had her bath. She was in the tub and she just continued with her bath. She expected him to leave the bathroom when he flushed the toilet but he did no such thing.

He took off his pants and got in the tub with Zodwa. Zodwa was in shock, not knowing what to do or say. She just kept quiet and sat there. Mr Ndola started touching her legs as he was telling her that they were going to have some fun. He told her that as part of the rent that she must pay for living in his house, she had to do this for him. It was that night that Mr Ndola started raping Zodwa.

After he was done he told her not to mention it to anyone especially Mrs Ndola. Zodwa did nothing but cry. She knew from what she’d been taught at school that this was not supposed to happen to any child. She went to bed early that night. Mrs Ndola got back from the meeting and asked her husband where Zodwa was and he said she’s in her room sleeping. He said she was not feeling well.

Mrs Ndola didn’t question her husband so she left it at that. Zodwa cried herself to sleep that night. She kept asking herself, if life had it in so bad for her, then why was she even born?

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Tell us what you think: What should Zodwa do? Do you know anyone who has been a victim of rape?