Guest: Monique Strydom, An award-winning hostage survivor, author, TV presenter, and philanthropist and Founder - Matla a Bana, Voice Against Child Abuse NGO
Host: Sara-Jayne King, Late Nights
Topic: The Fringe: An award-winning hostage survivor – Monique Strydom
In 2000 my next guest was one of 21 people taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf rebels in the jungle on the Philippine island of Jolo. She was held for 127days, in dire circumstances. Under continuous attack by the military, she and the other hostages had to run for their lives through the unforgiving territory and received very little food and water throughout their ordeal. After being released and returning to South Africa Monique, sold her business and formed a charitable trust and in 2002, Matla A Bana, a non-profit-organisation assisting abused children, was founded. Monique is the recipient of the numerous awards and nominations including Greatest Women of the Century by the American Biographical Institute and after hearing her story it’s easy to see why.
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