Sibusiso relates to kids with emotional scars
As a child, Sibusiso Manana was placed at Janelle Huis after severe abuse. This changed his entire life and today he volunteers there to help kids in the same situation.
EVANDER – Three months of knowing unconditional love after having suffered years of abuse and neglect radically changed Mr Sibusiso Manana’s life.
This 18-year-old business student at the Gert Sibande College had a harsh life up to the age of 10 years.
“My biological mother brought me to the Afghanistan township outside Kinross when I was a toddler. She loved to gamble and often left me with strangers. That was how I ended up at an older woman’s home.
“This woman never allowed me to play with other kids and often beat me or let me stay hungry, and she had many men visiting. One day she told one of her intoxicated male friends to beat me.
”I was tiny for my age and he easily picked me up. He beat me so badly that I passed out. When I came to, I was bleeding.
“I ran to the house of my older sister who years before severed ties with my biological mom. I begged her for help, but she scolded me, gave me a hiding and told me to go back.
“That was when I just walked and walked until I ended up in Kinross town.”
Two children spotted the desponded and bleeding Sibusiso and offered him food and care. The police’s Child Protection Unit was summoned.
The social workers placed Sibusiso at Janelle Huis in Evander for the permitted 90 days that children can stay in a place of safety before going into foster care or to a children’s home.
That was where Sibusiso experienced unconditional love for the first time in his little life.
“It was truly amazing. I found out there are people who really care for me. In that time I was sent to Laerskool Hoëveld where everyone was good to me, especially a teacher by the name of Mr Botha. He was genuinely concerned about me and taught me to speak Afrikaans.
“Ms Estelle Coetzer was an angel in my eyes. I never met anyone with so much love and compassion. I also made my first white friend. Quinton and I shared a room in the home and we became inseparable.”
This was also the time in his life when Sibusiso learned about Jesus and God’s love. His faith has grown over the years, but back then Sibusiso was an angry little boy who battled with the ghosts of his past, as well as depression.
Sibusiso was eventually moved to a children’s home in Belfast.
“It was very difficult to adapt, because I was suddenly surrounded by many other kids.
“The toys that I received at Janelle Huis were stolen soon after my arrival at the children’s home.”
His issues continued and because of that, he spent most of his holidays at the children’s home while the others were invited to go out.
He did, however, show great leadership and often led prayer meetings.
He met Ms Santo Nzimande from eMbalenhle two years ago. She invited him home for the holidays and the two immediately connected.
“She is very caring and understands me. She also helped me to overcome my emotions.”
Ms Nzimande initially became Sibusiso’s foster mother, but has since legally adopted him and supports him to explore his musical talents.
He dreams of becoming a musician.
The first thing that Sibusiso did when he returned to this area, was to visit Janelle Huis.
He is now the vice chairman of the house committee.
“My life was radically changed here for the good. I know first-hand what these children are going through and I believe I can guide and prepare them for life outside of the safe house. ”
