Hendrietta Bogopane Zulu’s brother, Tlhapi Clearnce Disene, died at Takalani of starvation

A PHOTOGRAPH SHE CANNOT SEE CLEARLY

Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Deputy Minister of Social Development, lovingly holds this beautiful photograph of her brother Tlhapi Clearance Disene. But it is a photo that she herself cannot see clearly. She was born blind and had several operations as a child but has remained partially blind her whole life. Tlhapi too was born with a disability. He could not walk or speak. ‘But we knew how to communicate with him. He was vibrant and present in our lives,’ she remembers.

Tlhapi died at Takalani Children’s Home during the Life Esidimeni tragedy. He died of starvation.

‘How did this madness happen?’ Hendrietta asks. ‘You can’t put money before people.’