My name is Phumzile Dlamini. I am a postgraduate student of Museum and Heritage Studies living on Robben Island. I am writing to respond to “Lesotho steps intto Robben Island ray” (September 21)
The article used a fictitious name for a survivor of sexual harassment on the island that resembles my own. The names Phumla or Phumi are my nicknames, being shortened forms of Phumzile.
The use of the name made it appear that I had been implicated. I am furious. Was the use of my nickname a coincidence?
Why did your journalist not use a name that is sufficiently unusual to rule out this potential confusion? What has caused me additional problems is that I and the unidentified lady who was given my name resemble each other physically.
I ask for a public apology otherwise I will take a further steps. Phumzile Dlamini
The editor responds: Marianne Merten and the newspaper apologise for the coincidence in names. We accept the error has caused Ms Dlamini distress. We made up a false name for a survivor of sexual abuse because, under South African law, the identities of such people are protected. The fact that the name was ficticious was made clear in the piece.