SA YouTuber Nolusindiso Hleko in a safe place after alleged abuse in China

South African YouTuber Nolusindiso Hleko who worked as a kindergarten teacher in China until recently, has reassured her followers she is safe after posting a video detailing the abuse she experienced, allegedly at the hands of her employer in the Asian country.

“To those who have asked me to contact my embassy, I did. They were the first number I called when this happened but sadly they don’t even have an emergency number, so I wasn’t able to get hold of them that day and when I finally did, they told me they would call me back and never did,” wrote Hleko in a pinned comment on her YouTube channel.

“Edgar (a famous lawyer in China) knows about what happened to me, I won’t even get into that part. Yes, there are two sides in every story but I can only share mine; feel free to reach out to the kindergarten for theirs because I’d love to hear it too. I am okay and I am safe.”

South African Head of Diplomacy Clayson Monyela swiftly stepped in after the video began making the rounds on social media.

“Those of you who know her and perhaps have contact details, please drop them in my DM. The SA Consulate in Shanghai is on standby to assist,” inquired Monyela. About an hour later Monyela gave an update on Hleko’s situation.

Those of you who know her and perhaps have contact details, please drop them in my DM. The SA Consulate in Shanghai is on standby to assist. https://t.co/9ol0sMdXJm

— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) October 5, 2023

“I got hold of her. She’s safe. She’s no longer in China. She’s now in Germany. I’m glad to report that she’s already in contact with our Ambassador that side and has only good things to say about the support she’s received from him. Please use our embassies abroad,” said the diplomat.

Update: I got hold of her. She's safe. She's no longer in China. She's now in Germany. I'm glad to report that she's already in contact with our Ambassador that side and has only good things to say about the support she's received from him. Please use our embassies abroad. 🇿🇦❤️ https://t.co/1yyaEKB3PV

— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) October 5, 2023

Nolusindiso Hleko’s abuse in China

In her video Hleko has a glaring black eye explaining how she was punched by a male HR manager in August. But in a long statement on Facebook the teacher explained how after being assaulted, the perpetrator was let off easily as though nothing happened.

“The guy who decided to punch me while on duty, woke up today and went to work like nothing happened. It’s funny how I felt like I needed to cover myself up in embarrassment when I’m the victim here. Ultimately decided to show up everywhere looking like this,” wrote Hleko in August.

“One thing is, I’ll make sure everyone here knows what happened before I leave! Unfortunately, there exist no such a thing as justice out here. Dude denied that he punched me and said I hit myself on the couch. Fortunately for him, the only witness to the situation said she didn’t see anything.”

She visited the hospital after the incident for a check-up.

“I just need to cold compress for the next five days. And yes, I’m packing my bags and leaving this place… I was going to leave anyways but this made me certain that I’m making a good decision.”

Working abroad

In one of her videos on YouTube posted last year, Hleko explained how she ended up working in Asia.

“In University my mission was to move abroad. In my first year after attending an au pair workshop, I wanted to be an au pair in America,” she said.

After failed attempts to work in the US because of financial reasons, in 2015 Hleko got a passport.

“I thought if ever an opportunity presents itself, I wanted to be ready.”

In 2016 she came across a flyer advertising posts for people who want to teach in South Korea advertised by English Program in Korea (EPIK), which is a program to improve the English speaking abilities of students and teachers in South Korea.

“I never chose Korea, the universe or Korea chose me,” she said in an emotional video reflecting on her five years in Korea. She moved to China last year after spending those years in Korea.

“I knew I was done in Korea. I felt like I stayed for way too long. I absolutely love Korea, despite the fact that I did not have a lot of good experiences, especially with work in Korea. But, overall, I’d say my life in Korea was pretty decent.”

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