Kabelo Lekaota, 27, who is openly gay, shared his story about an abusive relationship and how he overcame depression, and hopes it will help others in a similar situation, be it a man or a women.
Kabelo and his then boyfriend had a great relationship and everything was perfect until one night when things started going sour.
His ex beat him up for no apparent reason, and when he ‘apologised’ for his behaviour the following day, “He tried to put the blame on me and said I made him assault me”.
He nevertheless forgave his ex and they ended up moving in together, despite his mother trying to warn him.
I was so blinded by love that I didn’t listen to her.”
During the second assault his ex used a beer bottle, and he almost lost his eye. Although he went to the police station he found it too difficult to open a case against his ex.
“It was very difficult for me to move out of the relationship, and later on he started abusing me emotionally as well as physically,” he said.
“He never said anything good to or about me, and called me useless and worthless, and said I wasn’t going to achieve anything in life.”
The third assaulted landed Kabelo in hospital, not so much for the physical injuries as for severe depression.
The assault continued and Kabelo even tried to commit suicide, after which he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital to be treated for anxiety. Despite all this he went back to his ex after spending time at his mother’s home in Schweizer-Reneke following his discharge from hospital.
They eventually parted ways when his ex became addicted to drugs and went back to his home. Kabelo then had the courage to end the relationship.
I started getting back onto my feet and seeing the world in a different way.”
Kabelo found God during his stay at a psychiatric hospital, which helped him to make his breakthrough.
“My life started brightening up. I don’t drink anymore and things are going well for me.”
He said he found a new job and he has been accepted at two learning institutions to study towards a degree in education, and a BA in Journalism, respectively.
“My advice to young people experiencing abuse – whether they are gay or straight – is to know that everything is possible. God can transform a life.
I am so grateful that God gave me a second chance because my ambitions are big and I now see life differently.”
