• Tweet

SUPPORT: Young burn survivors of the National Burn Association rehearse their production on stage at the Johannesburg Theatre. PHOTO: SIBUSISO MSIBI

RELATED ARTICLES

• South African burn survivor gets cloned skin grafts

The youngsters in the National Burn Association of South Africa (NBASA) group are mainly from Orange Farm and other areas in Joburg.

In rehearsal for an "industrial" production about a burn survivor, the young victims took the stage to act out scenes that affected them personally as part of a two-day theatre camp in conjunction with a rehabilitation programme.

The programme includes counselling, workshops and skills and self-development, spearheaded by Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, executive director of the Johannesburg community development department.

One of NBASA's ambassadors and burn survivor Phindile Mokoena, 27, has lived with a scarred face and body most of her life and has been part of the organisation since 2007.

She also works with "Youth on Fire", a pilot project in the Orange Farm area.

Mokoena only recalls that she was living with her two siblings in a rural area in their grandmother's house after her death. She was sleeping when the fire started and her siblings tried waking her up but failed. They got away in time and her uncle saved her from the fire.

Though she thought she had gotten over the pain and wounds, Mokoena admits it is difficult to brush off the effects. "I have anger that I don't know where it comes from. I thought I was over it but it keeps haunting me as I grow."

Mokoena's experiences with friendships and relationships are two-sided.

"I make friends easily because I'm very talkative, although I do weigh out their personalities before I get close. In relationships I have issues with myself which lead to me leaving most of the time," she said.

NBASA strategy director Colin Lee said that the activity was part of the beginning of a support group that evolves over a year.

This leads to the development of self-help groups, such as an entrepreneurial programme that trains and places survivors in franchises where they sell products related to fire and educate people about safety.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sat May 18 18:18:59 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 12, 2012

rasefatee

shame guys keep it up
Report Abuse

Jun 12, 2012

bulwazi

Phindile is so lovely. I once took a taxi with her and i was so humbled by her, she behaves normal and she is very talktive.
She is a beautiull person despite her scars....
Report Abuse

Jun 13, 2012

Tismatis

amandla to you all.aluta continua
Report Abuse

Jun 13, 2012

Mude-Mude

congrats guys n may your courage reach individuals hu r less confident wit their lives. Thixo an'sikelele

Report Abuse

Read all 4 comments