South Africa: The loneliness of Zwe

Zwelihle soaps Ndumiso thoroughly, dries him with a frayed face cloth then smears Vaseline over his square little face and body while the seven-year-old giggles and wriggles. For the past 18 months since he was 14, Zwe has been parenting his two younger brothers. Parliament is discussing the Children’s Bill at present, and grappling with how to deal with child-headed households.