Breaking Myths

TV news reader AMUKELANI SOMBHANI, 34, is using her experience with infertility to educate rural women. She shares her story.

- Dimakatso Motau

“As someone in the public eye it’s not easy disclosing a private matter, but I believe my story will help other women. Within black communities infertility is taboo, and associated with witchcraft, sexual promiscuity and abortion. Despite criticism from other women, I aim to let people know that infertility is a medical condition and that there’s still hope for some people to conceive, if they are diagnosed early. Sadly, not everyone is so lucky, but that doesn’t make you less of a woman. The biggest challenge for me has been the lack of support and information, even from the handful of specialists in our country. I was wrongly diagnosed and had to endure unnecessary pain.

I come from the small village of Nhlengani, near Malamulele in Limpopo, and was raised in a model family: mom, dad and two siblings. When I got married, I imagined my life would be the same. Fertility or problems conceiving is something that never crossed my mind. When I had my first period in high school I thought the severe pain was normal, but by the time I reached varsity it got worse. At first a doctor diagnosed me with severe pelvic pain. I was never even told how to prevent it or treat it. I got by with a supply of strong painkillers. This was in 2000 and, because I didn’t know of any local gynaecologists, going to a general practitioner for every illness was the norm.