The Strength In Our Scars

Definitions of the word scar say it’s synonymous with blemish and flaw. We call BS. At WH, we think the body’s ability to rebuild itself, and the marks left behind, are both badass and beautiful. No matter where they fall or where they come from, scars are a testament to power and survival – something to wear with pride. Every scar tells a story. Here, four warriors share theirs...

- Sinead Martin

ABONGWE QOKELA

Social media manager; model

My scars are… Beautiful.

When Abongwe was a child, she pulled on a tablecloth, which resulted in pouring hot water on herself. The incident left her with burn marks on her chest and her right upper arm. For years she hid her scars under roundneck, long-sleeved T-shirts as she felt too self-conscious to let anyone see them. “It also meant that I wouldn’t swim in a normal bikini because I didn’t want to be exposed.” But slowly, “I realised that I can’t change them and I have to be okay with them,” Abongwe reveals. “It’s been a very slow process and an on and off process.” It’s important to remember, “You are not your scars. They are part of you, but you should never be defined by them. You are a winner, a survivor and the people you are hiding from most likely won’t care about your scars.” It took Abongwe a little while to get to this point of acceptance – in fact, she didn’t follow her dreams of a career in modelling until reaching the age of 30. Before 30, “I wasn’t confident, but now I wear my scars as a badge of honour, I wear them every day to show that I am powerful beyond measure and that I am a survivor.”

MARIKE JACOBS

Chartered accountant; yoga teacher in training

My scars are… Inspiring.