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Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu
In the 1980s, Erika Bornman’s family join, and ultimately move to, KwaSizabantu, a Christian mission based in KwaZulu-Natal, which is touted as a nirvana, founded on egalitarian values. But something sinister lurks beneath ‘the place where people are helped’.
Life at KwaSizabantu is hard. Christianity is used to justify harsh punishments and congregants are forced to repent for their sins. Threats of physical violence ensure adherence to stringent rules. Parents are pitted against children. Friendships are discouraged. Isolated and alone, Erika lives in constant fear of eternal damnation.
At 17, her grooming at the hands of a senior mission counsellor begins. For the next five years, KwaSizabantu wages emotional, psychological and sexual warfare on her, until, finally, she manages to break free and walk away at the age of 21.
Escaping a restrictive religious community is difficult, but rehabilitation into ‘normal’ life after a decade of ritual humiliation, brainwashing and abuse is much more painful, as Erika soon discovers. She cannot ignore her knowledge of the grievous human-rights abuses being committed at KwaSizabantu, and so she embarks on a quest to expose the atrocities. With her help, News24 launches a seven-month investigation, culminating in a podcast that will go on to win the internationally renowned One World Media Award for Radio and Podcast in 2021.
In Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu, Erika chronicles her journey from a fearful young girl to a fierce activist determined to do whatever it takes to save future generations and find personal redemption and self-acceptance.
Life at KwaSizabantu is hard. Christianity is used to justify harsh punishments and congregants are forced to repent for their sins. Threats of physical violence ensure adherence to stringent rules. Parents are pitted against children. Friendships are discouraged. Isolated and alone, Erika lives in constant fear of eternal damnation.
At 17, her grooming at the hands of a senior mission counsellor begins. For the next five years, KwaSizabantu wages emotional, psychological and sexual warfare on her, until, finally, she manages to break free and walk away at the age of 21.
Escaping a restrictive religious community is difficult, but rehabilitation into ‘normal’ life after a decade of ritual humiliation, brainwashing and abuse is much more painful, as Erika soon discovers. She cannot ignore her knowledge of the grievous human-rights abuses being committed at KwaSizabantu, and so she embarks on a quest to expose the atrocities. With her help, News24 launches a seven-month investigation, culminating in a podcast that will go on to win the internationally renowned One World Media Award for Radio and Podcast in 2021.
In Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu, Erika chronicles her journey from a fearful young girl to a fierce activist determined to do whatever it takes to save future generations and find personal redemption and self-acceptance.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2022
19 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 29, 2021
We don’t talk enough about religious trauma which is why I think this book is an extremely important one. Religious trauma is defined is experienced and suffered by many individuals who once belonged and eventually left an authoritarian, controlling and dogmatic religious sect. There is something sacrosanct about religion which makes it difficult for many of the victims to detail the abuse that takes place behind closed church doors.
Many of us grow up in religious homes; our religious beliefs are inherited from our parents often at an age when we have no say. Erika’s story is no different as she is introduced to kwaSizabantu through her mother who attends a preaching there and becomes saved. She calls it a “concentration camp masquerading as a mission station.” She resides here for 13 years and her stay here changes the trajectory of her life completely. Not only KwaSizabantu a religious institution, it is also a thriving commercial enterprise which many will be familiar with their water brand, Aquelle. As such, it would appear in this narrative; Erika is like David taking on Goliath. Except that Goliath is still standing which is a demonstration of the cost that comes with speaking out against powerful institutions. The victim suffers more in terms of isolation and ostracisation which is something people need to consider before asking, “why didn’t you say something?”
Told in an accessible and conversational way, this book is an easy but hard wrenching read of physical and sexual abuse in a church cult. It also brings the spotlight on discipline and corporal punishment. Nowadays social media is awash with images of parents abusing children in the name of discipline. Many victims of religious trauma suffer from impeded development, social, emotionally and sexually, all of which Erika narrates with frankness and candour. While her own exodus begins after leaving the church at 20 she embarks on her own personal journey of self discovery and self awareness. She carries with her feelings of guilt and shame as a result of the sexual molestation she suffered in the hands of an esteemed counselor. Coupled with a low self esteem and lack of confidence, all these become impediments to her forming healthy relationships as an adult.
It is a coming of self story of emancipation both physically and mentally. While at some point Erika became fearful of womanhood, she arrives at a place where she can embrace it fully. While Erika admits she is not entirely healed, she certainly is no longer the woman she was when she began this journey. It is an empowering story of how we can use our own traumatic experiences to empower others. It’s a story about losing your voice and reclaiming it.
Many of us grow up in religious homes; our religious beliefs are inherited from our parents often at an age when we have no say. Erika’s story is no different as she is introduced to kwaSizabantu through her mother who attends a preaching there and becomes saved. She calls it a “concentration camp masquerading as a mission station.” She resides here for 13 years and her stay here changes the trajectory of her life completely. Not only KwaSizabantu a religious institution, it is also a thriving commercial enterprise which many will be familiar with their water brand, Aquelle. As such, it would appear in this narrative; Erika is like David taking on Goliath. Except that Goliath is still standing which is a demonstration of the cost that comes with speaking out against powerful institutions. The victim suffers more in terms of isolation and ostracisation which is something people need to consider before asking, “why didn’t you say something?”
Told in an accessible and conversational way, this book is an easy but hard wrenching read of physical and sexual abuse in a church cult. It also brings the spotlight on discipline and corporal punishment. Nowadays social media is awash with images of parents abusing children in the name of discipline. Many victims of religious trauma suffer from impeded development, social, emotionally and sexually, all of which Erika narrates with frankness and candour. While her own exodus begins after leaving the church at 20 she embarks on her own personal journey of self discovery and self awareness. She carries with her feelings of guilt and shame as a result of the sexual molestation she suffered in the hands of an esteemed counselor. Coupled with a low self esteem and lack of confidence, all these become impediments to her forming healthy relationships as an adult.
It is a coming of self story of emancipation both physically and mentally. While at some point Erika became fearful of womanhood, she arrives at a place where she can embrace it fully. While Erika admits she is not entirely healed, she certainly is no longer the woman she was when she began this journey. It is an empowering story of how we can use our own traumatic experiences to empower others. It’s a story about losing your voice and reclaiming it.
August 23, 2021
Brave and honest
It is true. I was there. It makes one realise that even though each journey is different, the effect of abuse is universal and brutal. May this book be instrumental in bringing the perpetrators of abuse to justice.
It is true. I was there. It makes one realise that even though each journey is different, the effect of abuse is universal and brutal. May this book be instrumental in bringing the perpetrators of abuse to justice.
August 26, 2021
This book follows Erika's journey - how her family joined a cult, their experiences as she grew up in this environment, how losing her father impacted her, how she broke away and the long journey to finding herself and her bravery.
Its amazing, honest and heart wrenching as she bares her soul. I was absolutely riveted.
Its amazing, honest and heart wrenching as she bares her soul. I was absolutely riveted.
September 7, 2021
This riveting memoir is a lesson in courage and resilience. The thematic mini-chapters unveil bit by bit a harrowing world of psycho-spiritual abuse and detail the author's ongoing struggle to gain emotional freedom. But her deep dive moves beyond her individual experience and points toward the community support and collective action necessary to discredit and dismantle this still active cult. Her courage to write the truth is truly impressive!
August 22, 2021
Absolutely astonishing. Can't believe what things happened, and might still be happening. Erika is a great writer! I felt all the emotions while reading this book
October 20, 2021
#missionofmalice - Erika Bornman
#penguinrandomhousesa
This book, subtitled ‘My exodus from KwSizabantu’, is the chronicle of the author’s journey from a fearful young girl to a fierce activist and has been published as a result of a 7 month investigation by News24 into gross human rights violations committed at KwaSizabantu, ironically ‘the place where people are helped’, that culminated in a podcast winning the internationally renowned One World Media Award for Radio and Podcast in 2021.
The book can be divided into 3 parts, part 1 describing the life of a young girl in an environment using Christianity to justify physical and sexual abuse and emotional and psychological warfare; part 2 focusing on the challenges a young woman who has known nothing but isolation, toxic patriarchy, humiliation, brainwashing, judgement and fear, faces when attempting to integrate into society and part 3 narrating the birth of an activist who will stop at nothing in an attempt to expose the atrocities taking place in a restrictive so-called religious community.
The author is the first person narrator throughout and the reader is thus entrusted with her innermost thoughts, mostly heartbreaking, but laced with humour and empathy. I found the second part particularly interesting since the challenge of integrating into an unknown society is an unthinkable challenge to those who have been isolated - for whatever reason - for an extended period. One tends to take so many things for granted; the author using a simple example like peeling fruit that is supposed to be a no-brainer, but can be an impossible challenge for those who has never even seen it done.
The book is recommended for everyone who cares about what happened behind closed doors.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Uitdieperdsebek
#penguinrandomhousesa
This book, subtitled ‘My exodus from KwSizabantu’, is the chronicle of the author’s journey from a fearful young girl to a fierce activist and has been published as a result of a 7 month investigation by News24 into gross human rights violations committed at KwaSizabantu, ironically ‘the place where people are helped’, that culminated in a podcast winning the internationally renowned One World Media Award for Radio and Podcast in 2021.
The book can be divided into 3 parts, part 1 describing the life of a young girl in an environment using Christianity to justify physical and sexual abuse and emotional and psychological warfare; part 2 focusing on the challenges a young woman who has known nothing but isolation, toxic patriarchy, humiliation, brainwashing, judgement and fear, faces when attempting to integrate into society and part 3 narrating the birth of an activist who will stop at nothing in an attempt to expose the atrocities taking place in a restrictive so-called religious community.
The author is the first person narrator throughout and the reader is thus entrusted with her innermost thoughts, mostly heartbreaking, but laced with humour and empathy. I found the second part particularly interesting since the challenge of integrating into an unknown society is an unthinkable challenge to those who have been isolated - for whatever reason - for an extended period. One tends to take so many things for granted; the author using a simple example like peeling fruit that is supposed to be a no-brainer, but can be an impossible challenge for those who has never even seen it done.
The book is recommended for everyone who cares about what happened behind closed doors.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Uitdieperdsebek
April 14, 2025
this was an excellent book. i am always interested in cults, why people fall for it and the psychology behind it.
i am a non-confirmist, so it is very difficult for me to understand how it can happen. i have experience of two churches i went to, where i was asked to leave. the moment i started asking questions and give counter-arguments, i was formally asked to leave.
what the author and other people with similar experiences went through is atrocious. i take my hat off to those who were able to break free from these cults.
i totally believe what the author says about this cult. it is heartbreaking that they were investigated and nothing came of it.
i never buy aquelle water and always tell people about it. what a pity that supermarkets pulled it from shelves and simply started selling it again.
my heart goes out to everyone who got hurt by cults.
i am a non-confirmist, so it is very difficult for me to understand how it can happen. i have experience of two churches i went to, where i was asked to leave. the moment i started asking questions and give counter-arguments, i was formally asked to leave.
what the author and other people with similar experiences went through is atrocious. i take my hat off to those who were able to break free from these cults.
i totally believe what the author says about this cult. it is heartbreaking that they were investigated and nothing came of it.
i never buy aquelle water and always tell people about it. what a pity that supermarkets pulled it from shelves and simply started selling it again.
my heart goes out to everyone who got hurt by cults.
May 20, 2022
Kudos to author Erika Bornman for writing this important book. Erika's story of growing up in a cult is an emotional read – but one that's incredibly absorbing and well written. Huge respect for the courage it must have taken to put this together. It takes the light to defeat the dark and this book has brought abuses into the light.
September 11, 2021
Courage and perseverance to build a life overcoming abuse and indoctrination. Beautifully written
December 20, 2021
Erika, good on you for exposing this "cult". Can't believe they call themselves Christians. Not buying a certain brand of water again.
September 10, 2022
To the outside world, KwaSizabantu (KSB) Mission in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is a place of God, of family, of unity.
But to those who’ve lived at the mission and managed to escape its cult-like clutches, it’s “hell on earth”.
Erika Bornman’s ‘Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu’ tells of parental abandonment and disownment, an ingrained culture of fear, public beatings, molestation, rape and all kinds of abuse, which – if you let KSB tell it – is done in the name of the Lord.
When Bornman is nine, her parents leave her and her two siblings at KSB to go study in France, and this is where a lifetime of trauma begins.
The siblings are separated almost completely, and because boys and girls aren’t allowed to speak to each other, Bornman can’t even risk reaching out to her own brother.
There are no televisions, radios or magazines allowed, effectively shutting those living at the mission off from the outside world.
KSB is a place of intense fear, where children are regularly told how sinful and evil they are. “...If we don’t confess our sins, if we die with one single unconfessed sin, we will go to hell for all eternity,” Bornman writes.
Children are forced to confess their “multiple sins” often, and they’re encouraged to snitch on those committed by friends. If they don’t and the friend is caught, they’re subjected to horrendous beatings too.
All alone
When she is 15, Bornman’s father dies, and soon after, her mother all but abandons her as well.
This becomes heartbreakingly clear when, at 16, as she’s threatened with expulsion because she hasn’t been regularly confessing her sins, Bornman’s mother adds insult to injury: “Because I am a teacher at the school and this is our home, if they expel you, I have no choice but to kick you out as well”.
Desperate to stay at the mission despite it all, she vows to confess her sins regularly to a new counsellor. When she’s 17, it is this alleged ‘man of God’ who begins to molest her. This continues until she’s 19, and at 21, Bornman finally manages to leave the mission.
The rest of the book gives readers a glimpse into how the author built a life beyond KSB and learnt to deal with multiple layers of trauma that reveal themselves as she grows older.
White privilege
By her own admission, what happened to Bornman at KSB was "not that bad" when compared to the experiences of her black peers. On the one hand, that comparison rankles. Who's to say what is or isn't bad, traumatising, scarring? But on the other, it's hard to overlook the opportunities her whiteness afforded her.
A big part of her exodus from the mission was aided by friends and family. But when she writes about getting opportunity after opportunity with no qualifications and very little experience, I can't help but wonder how differently the lives of black ex-KSB members unfolded.
But this is ultimately Bornman’s memoir, and while I wish that she wrote more in-depth about her experiences at the mission, I can appreciate that ‘Mission of Malice’ is less a dissection of each of her traumas and more a glimmer of hope that a good life is possible, even after KSB.
Feels like a friend
Through short chapters written in a light, conversational tone, Bornman soon begins to feel like a friend, and it’s almost impossible not to root for her.
I really enjoyed reading about the author reclaiming parts of herself she hadn’t even known she’d lost, and I wish we got even more of that and less of the ‘they said, she said’ the last quarter of the book devolves into.
I struggled with the last 15 or so chapters, which go into detail about all the accusations against the mission and its often-flimsy rebuttals. While I also understand why Bornman needed to include it all in this book, I would have been much happier to read about just her journey.
But, upon some reflection, perhaps that’s the point – that Bornman’s journey is so inextricably linked with KSB that there’s no telling her story without including it, all of it.
This review was originally published in Namibian Sun, 9 September 2022.
But to those who’ve lived at the mission and managed to escape its cult-like clutches, it’s “hell on earth”.
Erika Bornman’s ‘Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu’ tells of parental abandonment and disownment, an ingrained culture of fear, public beatings, molestation, rape and all kinds of abuse, which – if you let KSB tell it – is done in the name of the Lord.
When Bornman is nine, her parents leave her and her two siblings at KSB to go study in France, and this is where a lifetime of trauma begins.
The siblings are separated almost completely, and because boys and girls aren’t allowed to speak to each other, Bornman can’t even risk reaching out to her own brother.
There are no televisions, radios or magazines allowed, effectively shutting those living at the mission off from the outside world.
KSB is a place of intense fear, where children are regularly told how sinful and evil they are. “...If we don’t confess our sins, if we die with one single unconfessed sin, we will go to hell for all eternity,” Bornman writes.
Children are forced to confess their “multiple sins” often, and they’re encouraged to snitch on those committed by friends. If they don’t and the friend is caught, they’re subjected to horrendous beatings too.
All alone
When she is 15, Bornman’s father dies, and soon after, her mother all but abandons her as well.
This becomes heartbreakingly clear when, at 16, as she’s threatened with expulsion because she hasn’t been regularly confessing her sins, Bornman’s mother adds insult to injury: “Because I am a teacher at the school and this is our home, if they expel you, I have no choice but to kick you out as well”.
Desperate to stay at the mission despite it all, she vows to confess her sins regularly to a new counsellor. When she’s 17, it is this alleged ‘man of God’ who begins to molest her. This continues until she’s 19, and at 21, Bornman finally manages to leave the mission.
The rest of the book gives readers a glimpse into how the author built a life beyond KSB and learnt to deal with multiple layers of trauma that reveal themselves as she grows older.
White privilege
By her own admission, what happened to Bornman at KSB was "not that bad" when compared to the experiences of her black peers. On the one hand, that comparison rankles. Who's to say what is or isn't bad, traumatising, scarring? But on the other, it's hard to overlook the opportunities her whiteness afforded her.
A big part of her exodus from the mission was aided by friends and family. But when she writes about getting opportunity after opportunity with no qualifications and very little experience, I can't help but wonder how differently the lives of black ex-KSB members unfolded.
But this is ultimately Bornman’s memoir, and while I wish that she wrote more in-depth about her experiences at the mission, I can appreciate that ‘Mission of Malice’ is less a dissection of each of her traumas and more a glimmer of hope that a good life is possible, even after KSB.
Feels like a friend
Through short chapters written in a light, conversational tone, Bornman soon begins to feel like a friend, and it’s almost impossible not to root for her.
I really enjoyed reading about the author reclaiming parts of herself she hadn’t even known she’d lost, and I wish we got even more of that and less of the ‘they said, she said’ the last quarter of the book devolves into.
I struggled with the last 15 or so chapters, which go into detail about all the accusations against the mission and its often-flimsy rebuttals. While I also understand why Bornman needed to include it all in this book, I would have been much happier to read about just her journey.
But, upon some reflection, perhaps that’s the point – that Bornman’s journey is so inextricably linked with KSB that there’s no telling her story without including it, all of it.
This review was originally published in Namibian Sun, 9 September 2022.
December 30, 2021
The story of triumph over evil.
December 19, 2021
Heartbreaking
I recommend this book to every single South African. Thanks, Erika, for your bravery and sharing your story with us.
I recommend this book to every single South African. Thanks, Erika, for your bravery and sharing your story with us.
did-not-finish
April 10, 2022I didn't actively DNF this. I had the ebook out from the library and my loan expired before I could finish it. It's not a slight to the author, I just don't enjoy memoirs enough to borrow it again.
If I don't enjoy memoirs, why did I borrow it in the first place? When the news of the cult, it's abuses and connection with Aquelle water broke in 2020, I immediately stopped buying the water. It was easy at the time because it was pulled from all shelves. Not two weeks later, it was for sale again everywhere. I kept up my personal boycott because fuck abusive cults. Every so often I'd google the cult to see if there were any updates on the case. Why was the water back on sale if there wasn't evidence against the accusations? Money, I guess. Because the accusations stand two years later and reading what I have of the book, I'm disgusted to find the author has been trying to raise awareness for the horrific abuses this cult perpetuated for OVER A DECADE. And it keeps getting swept under the rug. It's despicable that no major retailers have refused to stock Aquelle water. I know it won't do much in the grand scheme of things but I will continue to refuse to purchase their products. The victims deserve justice, not two weeks of lip service.
If I don't enjoy memoirs, why did I borrow it in the first place? When the news of the cult, it's abuses and connection with Aquelle water broke in 2020, I immediately stopped buying the water. It was easy at the time because it was pulled from all shelves. Not two weeks later, it was for sale again everywhere. I kept up my personal boycott because fuck abusive cults. Every so often I'd google the cult to see if there were any updates on the case. Why was the water back on sale if there wasn't evidence against the accusations? Money, I guess. Because the accusations stand two years later and reading what I have of the book, I'm disgusted to find the author has been trying to raise awareness for the horrific abuses this cult perpetuated for OVER A DECADE. And it keeps getting swept under the rug. It's despicable that no major retailers have refused to stock Aquelle water. I know it won't do much in the grand scheme of things but I will continue to refuse to purchase their products. The victims deserve justice, not two weeks of lip service.
September 29, 2021
A riveting memoir that showcases how easily families are destroyed by the twisted words of "Men of God" and how painful it can be to find justice when nobody seems to care (or when money exchanges enough hands for authorities to turn a blind eye).
Erika Bornman's life story, while absolutely jaw-dropping at times, is a must-read for true-crime aficionados as well as people who need to see that there is hope for those who're currently stuck in a cult.
Erika Bornman's life story, while absolutely jaw-dropping at times, is a must-read for true-crime aficionados as well as people who need to see that there is hope for those who're currently stuck in a cult.
September 1, 2023
Don’t buy aQuelle water!!!
Very interesting read. I’ve been intrigued by cults lately and something I always wonder is, why do people stay in this?? Where are their family and friends to reality check/rescue them??
Erika explained this really well in a way I hadn’t seen before. Obviously for her, she was raised in it, but was lucky enough to see what life outside the cult was like, and had family who could see she needed a better environment. But I like how she showed the effectiveness of the brainwashing, it answered a lot of questions for me.
I liked the short chapters and I like that she gets to the point without too much fluff.
This is a good book for anyone who has experienced any kind of trauma and shows how it can affect so many different areas of life.
It’s upsetting that Kwasizabantu still exists but I hope the more people who read this book, the more people will know the truth about that place.
Very interesting read. I’ve been intrigued by cults lately and something I always wonder is, why do people stay in this?? Where are their family and friends to reality check/rescue them??
Erika explained this really well in a way I hadn’t seen before. Obviously for her, she was raised in it, but was lucky enough to see what life outside the cult was like, and had family who could see she needed a better environment. But I like how she showed the effectiveness of the brainwashing, it answered a lot of questions for me.
I liked the short chapters and I like that she gets to the point without too much fluff.
This is a good book for anyone who has experienced any kind of trauma and shows how it can affect so many different areas of life.
It’s upsetting that Kwasizabantu still exists but I hope the more people who read this book, the more people will know the truth about that place.
July 13, 2022
More cult madness from South Africa.
January 5, 2023
True story about a cult which I enjoy. Wasn't mind blowing but won't be buying Aquelle again
May 11, 2025
Brave soul
What a beautiful story by a brave soul. Erika is the epitome of a strong woman who has overcome so much and serves as an inspiration to us all!
What a beautiful story by a brave soul. Erika is the epitome of a strong woman who has overcome so much and serves as an inspiration to us all!
February 8, 2023
At first I liked the reflections of the abuse the author endured and her journey of escape, but a third of the way through the focus was shifted and became more about her choices as an adult. It was hard to read about the authors misguided choices and no acknowledgement of getting professional help to deal with the abuse. Full disclosure I simply going not finish it.
my ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will probably read it again and it has a place in my library.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. Good characters, great story.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but probably won't read again.
⭐⭐: okay, I won't read it again, it will not be kept for my library.
⭐:I didn't like it, don't recommend it.
my ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will probably read it again and it has a place in my library.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. Good characters, great story.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but probably won't read again.
⭐⭐: okay, I won't read it again, it will not be kept for my library.
⭐:I didn't like it, don't recommend it.
November 16, 2025
This book sheds light on something rarely spoken about: religious abuse. It’s a topic I wrestle with personally from time to time, and I sometimes wonder if this is part of the reason why. But then I have to remind myself—some leaders can interpret the Christian faith in the most obscure and damaging ways, as this mission clearly did.
Abusing religion is one of the lowest ways to justify harmful actions, and this book shows exactly how deeply Erika suffered during those years. Yet, it also proves something so important: it’s possible to escape toxic situations. You can get out.
This story needed to be told. The world needs to see it. People need to be made aware of what’s happening—and how profoundly it can change someone’s life.
Abusing religion is one of the lowest ways to justify harmful actions, and this book shows exactly how deeply Erika suffered during those years. Yet, it also proves something so important: it’s possible to escape toxic situations. You can get out.
This story needed to be told. The world needs to see it. People need to be made aware of what’s happening—and how profoundly it can change someone’s life.
May 23, 2025
This is a fascinating book about a woman who grew up in a fundamentalist Christian cult in South Africa during the Apartheid era. It's not so much about the horrors of the cult, it is more about the impact of ego destruction on a child and the strength of the human spirit to ultimately overcome. As the timeline matches my own childhood, it occasionally mirrored some of my experiences in the country.
January 7, 2025
Interesting and important read for anyone living in South Africa who is or have been part of a church of any kind. Erika did incredibly important and difficult work in telling her story.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews