![Give a voice to girls forced into motherhood far too soon In South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the number of children giving birth between the ages of 10 and 14 has reached alarming levels. Behind every statistic is a human tragedy: a little girl robbed of her childhood, silenced by shame, and often abandoned by the men responsible. These are not just numbers — they are children carrying babies, facing trauma, stigma, and a future many never chose. As an independent investigative journalist, I am launching a project to uncover the truth behind this crisis: What drives these pregnancies, How vulnerable girls are left without protection, and Why accountability for the men involved is so often missing. This is not just a health or education issue. It is a question of justice, protection, and the future of South Africa’s children. 🙋🏾 Who I Am My name is Clement Sibanda, an independent investigative journalist dedicated to exposing overlooked social crises. After failed dreams of becoming a doctor, soldier, and teacher, I discovered my true calling: to shine light on hidden truths, amplify forgotten voices, and hold power accountable. Through this project, I want to give these girls a voice and bring national attention to a crisis that is too often ignored. 🎯 Why This Investigation Matters Children as young as 10 are becoming mothers — often after abuse, coercion, or failed protection systems. Their futures — in education, health, and safety — are being destroyed before they even begin. Communities are left in silence, while perpetrators walk free. By supporting this investigation, you are not just funding journalism. You are standing with the most vulnerable children in our society, demanding accountability, and refusing to let their pain go unnoticed. 📊 Budget Breakdown (R20,000 / ±$1,000) 1. Travel & Transport – R5,000 Return trip from Johannesburg to Eastern Cape Local transport into rural areas 2. Accommodation – R4,000 10–12 days of safe, budget lodging 3. Food & Daily Expenses – R2,500 Meals and field essentials 4. Research & Communication – R2,500 Airtime/data, printing, document access 5. Recording & Documentation – R2,500 Audio recorder, storage, batteries, photo/video 6. Safety & Confidentiality – R2,000 Transport for vulnerable interviewees Community liaison support 7. Publishing & Outreach – R1,500 Website/blog hosting, editing, visuals, promotion Total: R20,000 (±$1,000) 📢 How You Can Help Every contribution, big or small, brings me closer to: ✅ Reaching affected families and communities. ✅ Documenting the voices of survivors. ✅ Demanding accountability for perpetrators. ✅ Publishing a powerful investigation that cannot be ignored. 💡 Supporters will receive exclusive updates on the investigation’s progress and early access to findings before publication. ✊ Why Act Now The longer this crisis stays in the dark, the more children suffer in silence. Together, we can bring this hidden tragedy into the light, hold systems accountable, and demand justice for the girls of the Eastern Cape. 🙏 Please donate today, and share this campaign widely. Let us ensure no child is forgotten, and no voice is silenced. ➡️ [Donate Now & Stand With the Girls of the Eastern Cape]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85LohyphenhyphenoGoPbdBRLMYP4pkJvelTAFYmn9ydTf96mPigZMJ7tQQnaePdCq5dtym2WviSJLDyrOhiTT4mCeWE_hRb94FCVnLsT_9lHNa-NHkvnMPwa0MDT9Uh5jvytsLpYlJEc6fEOU3ZvbUB7yxqRcQ1ypFHDHDPh966iy7CWrb2vnCFQ9G3QR81gfVRyjm/s640/000_Nic6239277.jpg "Give a voice to girls forced into motherhood far too soon In South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the number of children giving birth between the ages of 10 and 14 has reached alarming levels. Behind every statistic is a human tragedy: a little girl robbed of her childhood, silenced by shame, and often abandoned by the men responsible. These are not just numbers — they are children carrying babies, facing trauma, stigma, and a future many never chose. As an independent investigative journalist, I am launching a project to uncover the truth behind this crisis: What drives these pregnancies, How vulnerable girls are left without protection, and Why accountability for the men involved is so often missing. This is not just a health or education issue. It is a question of justice, protection, and the future of South Africa’s children. 🙋🏾 Who I Am My name is Clement Sibanda, an independent investigative journalist dedicated to exposing overlooked social crises. After failed dreams of becoming a doctor, soldier, and teacher, I discovered my true calling: to shine light on hidden truths, amplify forgotten voices, and hold power accountable. Through this project, I want to give these girls a voice and bring national attention to a crisis that is too often ignored. 🎯 Why This Investigation Matters Children as young as 10 are becoming mothers — often after abuse, coercion, or failed protection systems. Their futures — in education, health, and safety — are being destroyed before they even begin. Communities are left in silence, while perpetrators walk free. By supporting this investigation, you are not just funding journalism. You are standing with the most vulnerable children in our society, demanding accountability, and refusing to let their pain go unnoticed. 📊 Budget Breakdown (R20,000 / ±$1,000) 1. Travel & Transport – R5,000 Return trip from Johannesburg to Eastern Cape Local transport into rural areas 2. Accommodation – R4,000 10–12 days of safe, budget lodging 3. Food & Daily Expenses – R2,500 Meals and field essentials 4. Research & Communication – R2,500 Airtime/data, printing, document access 5. Recording & Documentation – R2,500 Audio recorder, storage, batteries, photo/video 6. Safety & Confidentiality – R2,000 Transport for vulnerable interviewees Community liaison support 7. Publishing & Outreach – R1,500 Website/blog hosting, editing, visuals, promotion Total: R20,000 (±$1,000) 📢 How You Can Help Every contribution, big or small, brings me closer to: ✅ Reaching affected families and communities. ✅ Documenting the voices of survivors. ✅ Demanding accountability for perpetrators. ✅ Publishing a powerful investigation that cannot be ignored. 💡 Supporters will receive exclusive updates on the investigation’s progress and early access to findings before publication. ✊ Why Act Now The longer this crisis stays in the dark, the more children suffer in silence. Together, we can bring this hidden tragedy into the light, hold systems accountable, and demand justice for the girls of the Eastern Cape. 🙏 Please donate today, and share this campaign widely. Let us ensure no child is forgotten, and no voice is silenced. ➡️ [Donate Now & Stand With the Girls of the Eastern Cape]")
Give a voice to girls forced into motherhood far too soon
In South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the number of children giving birth between the ages of 10 and 14 has reached alarming levels.
Behind every statistic is a human tragedy: a little girl robbed of her childhood, silenced by shame, and often abandoned by the men responsible. These are not just numbers — they are children carrying babies, facing trauma, stigma, and a future many never chose.
As an independent investigative journalist, I am launching a project to uncover the truth behind this crisis:
- What drives these pregnancies,
- How vulnerable girls are left without protection, and
- Why accountability for the men involved is so often missing.
This is not just a health or education issue. It is a question of justice, protection, and the future of South Africa’s children.
🙋🏾 Who I Am
My name is Clement Sibanda, an independent investigative journalist dedicated to exposing overlooked social crises. After failed dreams of becoming a doctor, soldier, and teacher, I discovered my true calling: to shine light on hidden truths, amplify forgotten voices, and hold power accountable.
Through this project, I want to give these girls a voice and bring national attention to a crisis that is too often ignored.
🎯 Why This Investigation Matters
- Children as young as 10 are becoming mothers — often after abuse, coercion, or failed protection systems.
- Their futures — in education, health, and safety — are being destroyed before they even begin.
- Communities are left in silence, while perpetrators walk free.
By supporting this investigation, you are not just funding journalism. You are standing with the most vulnerable children in our society, demanding accountability, and refusing to let their pain go unnoticed.
📊 Budget Breakdown (R20,000 / ±$1,000)
1. Travel & Transport – R5,000
- Return trip from Johannesburg to Eastern Cape
- Local transport into rural areas
2. Accommodation – R4,000
- 10–12 days of safe, budget lodging
3. Food & Daily Expenses – R2,500
- Meals and field essentials
4. Research & Communication – R2,500
- Airtime/data, printing, document access
5. Recording & Documentation – R2,500
- Audio recorder, storage, batteries, photo/video
6. Safety & Confidentiality – R2,000
- Transport for vulnerable interviewees
- Community liaison support
7. Publishing & Outreach – R1,500
- Website/blog hosting, editing, visuals, promotion
Total: R20,000 (±$1,000)
📢 How You Can Help
Every contribution, big or small, brings me closer to:
✅ Reaching affected families and communities.
✅ Documenting the voices of survivors.
✅ Demanding accountability for perpetrators.
✅ Publishing a powerful investigation that cannot be ignored.
💡 Supporters will receive exclusive updates on the investigation’s progress and early access to findings before publication.
✊ Why Act Now
The longer this crisis stays in the dark, the more children suffer in silence. Together, we can bring this hidden tragedy into the light, hold systems accountable, and demand justice for the girls of the Eastern Cape.
🙏 Please donate today, and share this campaign widely. Let us ensure no child is forgotten, and no voice is silenced.
➡️ Donate Now & Stand With the Girls of the Eastern Cape
Bank name: STANDARD BANK
Branch code: 051001
Account number: 402152778
Beneficiary reference: 0773630320
(Make sure that my phone is there as a beneficiary reference to ensure the transaction is successful)