"I Am Not Ashamed": SA Man Whose Mom Clothed Him With What She Had Honours Her With Grad Gown
- A Limpopo man shared a touching Facebook post comparing a childhood photo with a recent picture
- His mother once dressed him in girls' clothing as a young child because it was the only option available to her at the time
- The post moved thousands of South Africans who saw it as a powerful story of a mother's abounding love and sacrifice
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Facebook
A Limpopo man's heartfelt Facebook post about his mother's unconditional love stopped South Africans in their tracks. Khodani Sikhamphu Khorommbi shared two photos side by side on 7 August 2026, one taken 25 years ago and one from just three years back.
The older image showed a little boy dressed in girls' clothing. Not by choice, but by necessity. His mother had nothing else to put on him and refused to leave her child without cover. She dressed him in what she had.
The second photo showed Khodani in a graduation gown.
From passed-down dresses to a cap and gown
In his post, Khodani wrote that as a young boy, there were no clothes available for him, so his mother did what she could. He said she dressed him out of love, and that the same woman who clothed him then was now watching him graduate:
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
"I am not ashamed of what was, because what was didn't become what is."
The post resonated deeply because it told a story many South Africans recognise: a mother doing the impossible with very little, and a child who grew up to make her proud.
View the Facebook post below:
South Africans react to the emotional post
People across the country were moved on Khodani's page and flooded the comments section:
Innocent Matloga said:
"These are the guys who have heart touching story... Man make her proud. Buy her a car that she will use to go to her Sassa payment."
Hanyeleni Shibambu wrote:
"Tough time never last... Tough people do."
Lomty Vilane shared:
"I did it too to my second born who is 2yrs and go to church with him... people were making fun of him I kept smile on my face... until I get home to cry knowing that I had no option."
Vukosii Jnb Valozyi noted:
"Most men wore dresses then during laundry time at your age... but your story touches the heart."
Leora Kay said:
"Don't let nobody separate you two. Mother's love."
Santa Già added:
"True definition of dedication and consistency. Man you inspire me."
More Briefly News stories on graduations
- Twin brothers celebrated graduating from university with same degree, inspiring South Africans with their shared academic achievement and close bond.
- A graduate’s beachfront celebration turned into a heartwarming viral moment after strangers stopped to congratulate and celebrate the milestone with them.
- A South African family celebrated an extraordinary academic milestone after three generations collectively earned 10 university degrees, inspiring many with their commitment to education.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
