Rape survivor Olathile Mjila stands as a beacon of hope in a world often overshadowed by trauma.
Having faced unimaginable horrors since childhood, her journey transcends mere survival; it is a powerful testament to transformation and healing. Today, she chooses to confront her past head-on, sharing her profound narrative through her compelling book, I Am Not My Scars. Weaving her story into a rich tapestry of resilience and a clarion call for societal change, she states, “I invite you into a world that is not so simple."
Mjila’s childhood was marred by a harrowing violation of innocence—a moment that unfolded within the chilling solitude of an empty home in the Eastern Cape. A family friend shattered her world, thrusting her into a reality that no child should ever endure. “I remember feeling confused and terrified, wishing to escape but not knowing how,” she shares, her voice barely above a whisper as she recalls that fateful incident. The trauma compounded with a subsequent sexual attack by another trusted adult left indelible scars that accompanied her into adulthood.
The book, I Am Not My Scars, is available directly from the author, Olathile Mjila.
June 2009 marked another dark chapter in Mjila's life. While commuting in Johannesburg, her day turned terrifying as two strangers ambushed her and raped her, shattering any semblance of normalcy. “I can still feel the coldness of the weapon pressed against my neck,” she recounts, encapsulating the moment when vulnerability became her haunting companion once again. Such incidents have not only defined her past but have also forged her into a fierce advocate against violence.
Today, Mjila is a wife, mother, and writer. Her decision to pen her experiences stemmed from a deeply personal desire to document her life and reconcile her traumatic past. Completing the book took a year, primarily serving as a medium of healing for Mjila. “The decision to write it was more about healing and therapy from the events of my life, namely rape trauma, loss, and depression,” she explains. Family and friends experienced shock and concern upon reading her story, but many also found a shared sense of solidarity in her struggles.
Buhle Luvela, Olathile Mjila's daughter. Picture: Supplied
Throughout the writing process, Mjila unearthed layers of her own strength. “I have seen many people struggle with these traumas, resorting to self-destructive behaviors, yet I did not,” she reflects. However, she acknowledges that the price of her trauma came in the form of an overwhelming protectiveness regarding her children and an acute sensitivity to child safety. Yet, her challenges have also imparted valuable lessons about understanding unhealed traumas manifesting in various behaviors.
Leaving Johannesburg for the greener pastures of Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, Mjila now works for an international company's contact centre in Umhlanga. She embraces her new role not just as an employee but as an ambassador of hope, faith, and forgiveness. Her heartfelt message to other victims is clear: “You are not a victim of your circumstances; rise up, let go, talk about it, free yourself from what you have been through. You might just be the answer to the next person's experience.”
As she continues to share her narrative, Mjila hopes her book will touch one heart at a time, pushing the culture of silence around sexual violence into the light. “Forgiveness cannot happen on its own and without God. Remember, you are not your scars,” she concludes, embodying the hope and resilience she so fervently champions.
- Contact Olathile Mjila via WhatsApp on 060 340 7577 to order your copy of 'I Am Not My Scars' .
