9th Sep 2010 12:44:15 PM The Charities | The Children | Dorah Mokoena | Health | Schools / Training | Community | Regional Reports | UMashesha Home Amanda Simanga New Amukelani Dube New Andani Mphaphuli New Anele Nyongwana New Babalwa Debele New Bafana Nzima New Balombo Bambula New Basheeba Worlotoe New Boipelo Mosegedi New Bongani Madlala New Bongani Phakati New Bonginkosi New Brendan New Chris M New Deon Slabbert New Dikeledi Mboko New Doreen New Ernest Tshabalala New Evelyn Minto Essono's New Feleng New Franklin New Fursy Mogobe New Gabriel New Gloria New Gontise Mogotsi New Habiba New Helen Matondo New Irene Peta New Jabulani Malungane New Jacques Abrahams New Janine Barends New Jaun Henning New Jeffers Zitha New Jose New Jose Mvula New Kagiso Maphoso New Kagiso Mathebula New Kagiso Mphuti New Karabo Thebedi New Kedibone New Kenyan New Kjetil Sandivk Havnen New Koketso Sekuru New Lee Branco New Liane Grond New Lida Basson New Linda Nana Tshbalala New Londeka Ngidi New Maje New Marco Bronkhorst New Mbali New Mfundo Ntamehlo New Michelle Mthenjwa New Mimi New Mittah New Mlungisi New Mohau Qumpula New Mpho Maja New Musa Zwane New Musiwa New Neliswe Radebe New Nelson Tsabalala New Nkululeko New Nouna boy New Nsizwa Vilakazi New Nyakallo New Oscar Mlondolozi Hadebe New Phindile New Piet Moloja New Reagan New Rolivhuwa Matodzi New Rose Wambua New Rumbi New Saloma Aphanye New Sameh Chiboub New Samkelo Sole New Samukelo Radebe New Seif New Seizo New Selamawit New Shirley Seqobane New Sicelo New Simamkele New Sithembiso Hlatshwayo New Siyabonga Morwasetla New Siyabonga Nokumbi New Siyamthanda New Sizwe New Steven Marakeng Mpyana New Sunday Mukaza New Tapera Jani New Tavonga New Thapelo New Thomas New Thulani Nhleko New Tshepiso Sekuru New Vhahangwele Matodz New Vivian New Vusi Mathibela New Xavier New Yassine Ben Ali New Zanele Jeza New Zenette and Precious Van Wyke New Zianda Ndlovu New Zipho Zwane New Amanda Simanga Amanda's story by Amanda, interviewed by Bronwen My name is Amanda Simanga. I was born on 21st August 1990 in Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto. My mother Boniswa Simanga; my father Mlindisi Simanga. I was their first born. I have two sisters Ayabonga (thanks) and Inganathi (blessing), no brothers. My father stays in Rustenburg, he's a mine worker there. My mother and my sisters live in East London. She sells sweets, chips, meat in a small spaza shop. I was doing grade 11 when I was burned. I was sleeping at my cousin's brother's place - his name is James Khumbulani Madondile. We usually slept at his place when he was working night shift, at Relite - a factory making batteries. It's part of First National Battery I think. We stayed there to look after his shack for him. It was me and my cousin Ziyanda Madondile. She's doing Matric this year. She was also burned, but not so badly. It was fine for us; we didn't know there was danger. Ziyanda is Khumbulani's niece. That night we went to bed after the gospel. It is about 10pm on SABC2, so we went to sleep at 11pm. I think the fire started around 12 midnight because it was past 12 when I woke up. The fire started through the front door, since there was only one door. I tried to catch the key, but I couldn't see the key. Then I cried for help. 'Ncedo!' I could hear people coming; they couldn't get through the house because there was a burglar [bar] locked. They broke down the door. I woke up my cousin. They went to fetch something to open the gate. They did open the burglar [bar] and one man came to get us. I can't recognise him now but he knows me. The next thing I remember we were outside with a petrol two litre [can] lying there. We think that's how they started the fire. We tried calling the police. We couldn't get an answer. We called the ambulance. They said it was on its way. But after 30 minutes later we had to get a taxi; we were getting really cold. We arrived at hospital. They admitted us. Everything was so quick after that. We were admitted in room B8, a ward of burned people in Frere Hospital. Around December my cousin was moved away from me to another hospital, Makhiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. She was discharged after three months there. I was still at hospital. I couldn't walk or do anything for myself. In February I got the physios and OTs. We did some sections with them to train my hands, learn how to walk, feed myself. In the end of February I started to walk for myself, until I was discharged on 27th March 2009. I still go to the OTs for exercises because I cannot close my hands into fists; my little finger is fused on the left hand. I am burned on the front of both legs, mostly above the knee; and on both arms - I have a contracture on my left elbow which splinting did not fix, so I will have surgery there. I did not lose scalp but I have scars on my neck and my face. My ears are ok. The reason for the attack on my cousin's shack, was related to the strike at his workplace at that time. They were striking for more money; but not all the people were on strike - some, they were happy with their salaries. I think Khumbulani's job is involved in mixing the chemicals for the batteries. The strikers attacked many people. Some of them died; the lucky ones survived. Four children died. Maybe they knew the older people were working. Everyone who got burned at that time was a kid. Two children from Mdantsane that I haven't met and someone who was working there got attacked in his car. Some people raised money for us, R6000. My cousin and I were given half each for medicines, lotions, that we needed. When I was sent home, my left heel was open. I had to buy my own bandages. My clinic was too far to always go there and I had to wash the wound every day. The people who burned the shack were wrong; I would never do that to someone else. I wish that they would come and apologise but that takes guts; they can't do it. They were never caught by the police. The police took a statement from our doctors. Our neighbour made some statement. The police used to come in hospital but they haven't talked to me since I was discharged. Khumbulani was in a bad situation but we told him not to blame himself. I have had counselling three times in hospital, because I was having nightmares. It really helped me to talk to someone who would understand me. I was talking about the fear mostly. I had to come to terms with the change in my body. If I met the man with the petrol now, I would ask 'Why did you do it?' I think they wanted to kill Khumbulani or to scare him. Maybe they thought he was at his place at that time. They never thought about the other shacks so close. It was painful lying there; you can't eat for yourself; you can't bath yourself. The nurses were pretty nice. They'd never seen a person who burned like that. My doctor was Dr Simpson, a man. I think he's from the other side of the world, Nigeria or something. He's black in colour, an African, down to earth. The staff worked well altogether. Dr Simpson had a few words of Xhosa but he spoke English. Phakama (get up in the bed) Jikeleza (turn around) he liked most. If I get up in the bed, I would just sit in the chair the whole day. I will go back to school in 2010, into grade 12. I would like to be an oncologist one day because I think people in the Eastern Cape don't know enough about cancer. I took physics, maths, life science (biology), life orientation, Afrikaans, English, agriculture. They didn't give us any choice - I didn't want to learn agriculture. I would have preferred to learn commerce, to help me with other things. If I go to university, I would choose Fort Hare (Berea side) or Walter Sisulu in East London. Going to the Drakensberg with Children of Fire in October 2009 was nice, fun, doing the challenges that I never thought I would do, meeting the people there Our leaders were good company: Abegail, Lindi, Danny, Zamo and Greg the photographer. A short guy from Durban, Mlungisi was always up for a challenge, funny, talkative. Greg was also good in cards, playing poker (but not gambling). Danny was a good chef. Every sort of food we ate ... Wytske cooked mielie rice but it didn't have taste. It was like mealie meal the texture. Danny put in more salt, texture, just usual food - but colourful, delicious. I was trying my best a hiking, my feet are still sore. Seif from Tunisia wasn't smoking at first but then Kezia from Pietermaritzburg persuaded him too. When Seif is alone he doesn't smoke. You must have your own brains, not let someone decide for you. I did the abseiling, but I went sideways! I was scared, when my game was about to end (my rope), it was fun. I will do it again some other time. I saw the birds of prey; they're actually clever. I just wonder how they learn to do what they do. Dragon Peaks resort is beautiful, and has a beautiful view; there's a lot of activities though. I think it was Frere Hospital, Sister Loe (col) said I must come to the trip and have fun. There were supposed to be two of us; Sibusiso; we couldn't reach the guy. I did meet him, but he was discharged first. He was 19 or 20. I don't know his story; he had 65 per cent burns. That's how they describe your burns. They said I'm 55 per cent burns. I didn't burn on my stomach and my back. Even though I had a braid on my hair, my hair didn't burn. They were amazed. Now I'm going home. I was planning to get a driving licence or something. Maybe I'll do that next year. There's no money at home. The driving schools all need deposit. I will go back to Ebenezer Majombozi High School though I did my grade 8 and 9 at Rustenburg. My father was like blaming my mother for me getting hurt, but I said that it's not her fault. My mother was also hurt; she thought I would die. I think she had a breakdown or something when I was admitted to hospital. I see life in another way now. It builds my strength up meeting the other burned children. Meeting Dorah, she's got strength, her situation is bad, although she understands other people. She's quite a sweet girl. She like food! Sicelo - I don't think he even cares that he's only got one arm. I've still got my eyes and everything, I'm quite lucky. I have been dating. His name is Ayanda. He's 21 years old; a first year student of IT. I've been dating him since last year June until now. He stuck with me, even when I was burned. He was planning to go to Cape Town, but after my accident he decided to stay. He's handsome; I think he's clever. He understands me a lot, he's got respect. And he gets on fine with my mother. I'd like to talk to all the workers at the battery factory: those that went on strike and those that didn't. Someone knows someone who knows someone who carried out the attack. There might never be justice for me on Earth, but I want them to know that God sees everything. I want other people to think before they start a violent strike and harm other children; before they harm anyone. Violence solves nothing at all. This material is Copyright © The Dorah Mokoena Charitable Trust and/or Children of Fire , 1998-2010. Distribution or re-transmission of this material, excluding the Schools' Guide, is expressly forbidden without prior permission of the Trust. For further information, email firechildren@icon.co.za About Children of Fire | Contact us | Advertise with us COPYRIGHT © 2010 Children of Fire. All rights reserved. Designed Developed and Maintained by Fyre Interactive