It can be sometimes easy for us to forget that our celebrities are human and that just like us, they have had to endure quite a number of challenges in order to become the great and beautiful people that they are today.
It is because of that that we have decided to put together a list of celebrities who had troubled childhoods and who've been bold enough to speak about their experiences. Read more to find out.
To start us off is the Skeem Sam actress who not too long ago shared how it was growing up with her dad locked up in prison. As you can already imagine, growing up without a father is already tough as it is, but to know that they have been locked away, can take a huge toll on a young child.
My sister and I didn't even think that this was a story worth telling until we told it and people spoke about how it has touched them. We grew up taunted by outside people who always wanted to tell us what horrible things our father had done. Because we never knew him, we didn't understand.
Speaking to Tshisa live, she went ahead to add that it was quite a painful childhood because even when they did go to visit their father in prison, he was not as welcoming, and this visitation only happened when he was on his deathbed.
Next up on the list is this media personality who also did not have it easy growing up. Ntando grew up in Orange Farm & lived in a shack with her parents and siblings. Her father who passed away in 2008 was abusive towards her, her siblings and her mother.
In an interview with Drum Magazine, the actress shared how these experiences are still quite fresh and vivid in her mind and how tough it was growing up in such a hostile environment. It got so bad that one time, their abusive father set their shack on fire in an attempt to end their lives.
Looking at her one would not imagine the kind of challenges she has had to endure ever since she was a little girl. But, it is a beautiful sight to see that woman and the mother she has morphed into and we celebrate her for it.
We cannot also fail to mention the most acclaimed Gomora actor who has also shared about having had it hard growing up. Speaking on the infamous Podcast and Chill with MacG, Zulu opened up about details of his life that many had never imagined possible.
What stood out the most during his sharing was when Zulu decided to talk about how he was locked up at the age of 12 for having stolen a car, as well as how it was living and being raised by a stepfather.
You know stepfathers. I’m not his child. If a child is not your child, I don’t believe you will have true love. My half-brother is his son. Maybe I’m his son, I don’t know. Only the mothers know. But we never had a good relationship between me and him. He had a division. He liked his son more than anybody. So me I became my own father since I was eleven. I was independent, I was a father figure for myself, and the family as well. Because I didn’t have a shoulder to cry on.
And as if that is not enough, he also went on to add that his stepfather was physically abusive and would occasionally beat him up for no good reason. Yes, he did not have it easy but we are proud of the great strides that he has been able to make in the industry this far.
I am sure you have heard of Clement Maosa’s story before but allow me to refresh your memory just in case you forgot. The Skeem Sam actor lost his parents at a very young age and this led him to slip into depression.
Not knowing how to move on in life without the two most important people in his life, Clement decided to attempt suicided as a means to easen the pain that he was going through. This was not an one time occasion however, as he admitted to having attempted suicide twice and failing each time.
It is encouraging to see that he has found purpose in his life and that his past no longer has a hold of him.
Last but not least is Mandela’s grandchild Zoleka Mandela who has also in the past shared about how troublesome her younger years were. The mother of six not too long ago shared how abusive her childhood was and how it affected her psychological, and emotional health greatly.
She shared a picture from her childhood and talked about how she spent years blaming herself for the abuse that she had to endure from both the men and women in her life.
In an attempt to numb the pain, she resorted to drug and sex addiction and even once tried to commit suicide. And while it is a sad story, it continues to inspire many. She has not let her past define the woman she is today and we couldn’t be any happy for her.
They say that what happens in our formative years determines the kind of people we end up becoming. Whether good or bad, it is encouraging to know that while their childhood was not as rosy as is for many out here, they have chosen to learn and heal from their past and are charting beautiful and hopeful futures.
