Mar 29, 2023
When Erika Bornman was nine years old, her family joined and
ultimately moved to, KwaSizabantu, a Christian mission in South
Africa—a place touted as a multiracial nirvana, founded on
egalitarian values. But life at KwaSizabantu was hard, especially
because Christianity was used to justify harsh punishments and
physical abuse. KwaSizabantu exerted emotional, psychological, and
sexual control over her, until, finally, she escaped at the age of
21.
Escaping a restrictive religious community is difficult, but
rehabilitation into ‘normal’ life after a decade of ritual
humiliation, brainwashing, and abuse was much more painful. Erika
could not ignore her knowledge of the grievous human-rights abuses
being committed at KwaSizabantu, and so she embarked on a quest to
expose the atrocities. With her help, News24 launched a seven-month
investigation, culminating in a podcast that would go on to win the
internationally renowned One World Media Award for Radio and
Podcast in 2021.
In Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu, Erika
chronicles her journey from a fearful young girl to a fierce
activist determined to do whatever it takes to save future
generations and find personal redemption and self-acceptance. Erika
has also carved a career for herself in magazine publishing as a
writer and editor. Mission of Malice, her memoir, is her
first book and an important element in her quest to make the world
a safer place for children. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa,
with her two cats.
This
podcast contains explicit content as well as sexual abuse and child
abuse trigger warning.
Click here for Erika’s book: Mission of Malice: My Exodus from
KwaSizabantu,
Click
here for the
News24 seven month investigation
Click
here for the
award winning podcast produced by News24
Click
here for the YouTube
video of Erika’s niece
Click here for information on the Cult & Religious Recovery Group Program that begins April 2023.
Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving
the Cult”. Subscribe
to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here.
If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her at
Patreon.
Jennifer is a cult and religious recovery counselor. She is
certified in a specialized approach working with survivors that is
research based and rooted in the work of Dr. Gillie Jenkinson. She
has a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control and functions
as an expert witness in such cases. Jennifer is also a research
associate at Salford University. For more information, please
visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.
Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any
inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.