'Dice of Despair' - One woman’s journey through the quiet hell of gambling

702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to author, Sibongile Nkabinde.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

Sibongile Nkabinde's memoir, 'Dice of Despair', is a powerful and deeply personal story about gambling addiction and the long road to recovery.

"I was a gambling addict for the past 18 years...I am 7 years clean...I know the struggle of gambling addiction...I know that it's a hidden addiction and I've struggled myself...I lost everything through this addiction."

- Sibongile Nkabinde, author

She recalls losing R20,000 in 30 minutes.

Nkabinde explains that the decision to write the book came during her healing process.

“I was destroyed myself, and I got the courage and strength to write about my story that maybe it can help and heal someone." 

- Sibongile Nkabinde, author

For her, the book isn’t just a memoir, it’s a way to break the silence around this hidden addiction that she says “kills and destroys” in silence.

Nkabinde says what made things worse, is the shame.

She felt like she couldn't speak to anyone about what she was going through and that the secrecy made it even harder to get help.

"Drug addiction, alcohol addiction, you can see those people physically, they change, but with gambling addiction, it is hidden and you cannot recognise us, we make sure that we look normal. Yet that addiction, it eats your life inside, like myself, it was a bad experience because I lost everything. My marriage, my kids, I lost myself during the process..."

- Sibongile Nkabinde, author

Nkabinde hopes her book will start conversations, not just in homes, but in policy and public awareness too. 

She's calling for tighter regulation around gambling advertising, especially with how easily young people are getting pulled in. 

"This thing is spreading like wildfire...our kids are into gambling." 

- Sibongile Nkabinde, author

More than just her story, Nkabinde says the book is an “action call” for others to speak up, get help, and understand that gambling addiction is real and dangerous. 

“It could be you...People need to talk.”

- Sibongile Nkabinde, author

Nkabinde's book can be purchased on diceofdespair.co.za

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation