“You Made History”: Dr Celiwe Ndaba Reacts to BBC News Covering Her Story, SA Impressed

• A local doctor who opened up about her abusive marriage was shocked to see that her story made international news
• The mother of three shared a video on TikTok showing off the article and reading it sentence-by-sentence, impressed by how well it was written
• Social media users rushed to the comment section to discuss the article further, while others advised her to monetise her story

A few weeks ago, Mzansi got to learn about Dr Celiwe Ndaba's story and how she was financially exploited by her estranged husband, who kept demanding that she finance his lifestyle.

The doctor's story spread like wildfire, reaching international news platforms, and on her TikTok account @dr_celiwe, she read an article by BBC written about her.

DR Celiwe's story reaches BBC News

The clip starts with the doctor facing her camera towards an article from the BBC with her picture in it, and the title about financial abuse, referring to her story about buying her estranged husband an expensive vehicle. She shares that she was contacted by someone abroad who saw her BBC article and alerted her. Still in disbelief, she asked others to try Googling either her name or "financial abuse," saying her name would pop up.

She further went into the article, which detailed her story step-by-step, highlighting the financial abuse that many women suffer in silence. As she continued reading the well-written article, with experts such as legal experts, a university lecturer, a study from UNISA and others, she acknowledged its truth, impressed by the journalist's research.

When she finished reading her article, Dr Celiwe still wondered whether it was real or not.

Watch the TikTok video below:

Doctor opens up about marriage trauma

The mother of three publicly shared her experience of enduring an abusive marriage through a series of TikTok videos. She met her husband at church during her fourth year of medical school. Initially, he appeared kind and supportive, but over time, the relationship allegedly became emotionally, physically and financially abusive.

Dada recounted being persuaded to purchase an expensive car, which strained their finances. After a car accident in 2021, she suggested buying a more affordable vehicle, but her husband insisted on maintaining a high-status image, leading to further financial pressure. Eventually, Dada moved into a back room while her husband lived with their children. By sharing her story, Dada said she wanted to show that abuse can affect anyone, regardless of education or professional success.

SA debates the article

Social media users flooded the comment section, shocked to see the BBC article. Many said her story was internationally worthy, as many people were going through similar issues but were unable to speak out. Some praised her courage to speak out, and others jokingly asked her to sell her story to Tyler Perry for a movie spin-off.

User @Andy_X said:

"This is such a beautiful article, you have made a great mark not just in SA but globally. Uyi big deal Dr Celi ❤️."

User @Manondolove commented:

"Your story is going to be a case study 😂😂."

Use @Mmangaliso Khumalo Nkosi shared:

"But you were supposed to be involved in this article's consent if they are wrong for doing it without you, plus you deserve the coin for it. It’s your story they're making money out of your life journey 😭."

User @hokozanizikode added:

"Print it and save it, you made history."

User @Lulu🇿🇦 shared:

"A perfect article 👌👌👌👌fly high angel. You did that, sana. You saved and healed a lot of women through this story, baba❤."

User @Corporate Theps 🇿🇦 said:

"Your story is a story of millions who don’t have the courage to speak, or stand up for themselves, etla feta (it will pass)."

3 Briefly News articles related to the topic

• Local medical practitioner Dr Celiwe removed her Nigerian estranged husband's surname, Dada, on TikTok, leaving just Dr Celiwe, a move welcomed by many social media users.
• Dr Celiwe shared a video of herself at the lawyer's office, taking her first step towards divorcing her estranged husband, and social media users celebrated the move.
• A doctor blinded by love shared that she bought her unemployed husband a Mercedes-Benz worth over a million and paid a R23K installment a month, shocking online users.

Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.

Source: Briefly News