“I’ll take that child!”
Priscilla’s baby dreams won’t materialise without a struggle!
Imbewu Weekdays e.tv (DStv *194/Openview HD *104) 21:30
In May this year, Phakade’s (Sandile Dlamini) wife Priscilla (Fundiswa Zwane) wanted nothing more than to give him a new baby despite her medical issues. And while the couple seemed to drop the idea, the desire hasn’t left Priscilla. So it tears her to pieces on Thursday 30 August when a local girl named Jabulile (Zamachunu Mchunu) refuses to go through with an unexpected pregnancy. “She is envious and looking at Jabulile, who doesn’t even want the baby, shows up feelings of hurt and inadequacy because until now, Priscilla hasn’t been able to give Phakade a son,” explains Fundiswa.
MOTHER LOVE
Priscilla goes all out on Friday 31 August to not only convince Jabulile to go through with the pregnancy but to give her the baby as well. “She is completely against the idea of an abortion due to her religious and cultural context. The idea of an abortion also reminds her of a past trauma in which a young woman who attempted an abortion almost lost her life. And Priscilla uses the argument that her family would be more than happy and capable of giving the baby a happy stable home,” says Fundiswa.
HAND-IN-HAND
Priscilla is thrilled when her husband finds out what she’s planning on Thursday 6 September and quickly offers his wholehearted support. “She is over the moon and very happy about when he warms up and agrees to the idea,” says Fundiswa. “Priscilla comes from a Zulu rural background, where such practises are a complete norm. The idea of adoption and raising children who are not one’s biological child is the norm. This is where the adage ‘it’s takes a village to raise a child’ comes from.”
BABY ROADBLOCK
But as the couple discover on Tuesday 11 September, living in the modern world can turn adoption into a legal labyrinth. “This is new to Priscilla,” says Fundiswa. “Firstly, she is positive and hopeful, then upon hearing the finer details and the different legal options on the table, she feels overwhelmed and dejected. There are some in the rural outskirts who still feel inadequate to deal with issues surrounding laws and policies, given the very recent past trauma and oppression that was implemented against black people using the law,” she explains. “But there doesn’t need to be any fear. Laws and policies in South Africa are there to look out for all its citizens.” And that includes Jabulile and her unborn baby.