The Life Esidimeni scandal reflects one of the darkest days in our public healthcare system. Human rights violations such as neglect and starvation lead to the death of 144 patients 9 years ago (2015). South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Heinrich Boell Foundation, Section 27, and the Life Esidimeni Family Committee came together to reflect this journey called: The Life Esidimeni Portraits of Lives Lost Book.

The book will honour the lives of those patients who tragically died and the impact it had on their families. The book also explores the ongoing struggle for better mental healthcare in South Africa and the urgent need to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Our next guests contributed to the book by visiting family members to share their the story of their loved ones. Families brought out a picture that they selected of their brother, parents, sister or child who had died. These portraits are not just faces on a page, but a testament to the human cost of this tragedy. To tell us more about this journey, we are joined by…

Guest (ZOOM): Mark Lewis - Author and Photographer

Guest (ZOOM): Christine Nxumalo - Member of the Life Esidimeni Family Committee