Mamello lives a seemingly perfect life with her parents. They paint a pretty picture of household harmony for their community, but their household is far from perfect. Mamello's parents mistreat her.and don't allow her to go to school because they believe there must always be someone at home to do the chores. All Mamello desires is to go to school and one day study towards becoming a human rights lawyer. Fortunately, their neighbour takes an interest and sees through the false picture of a perfect family life and homeschools Mamello during the day when her parents are away. Things take a turn for the worse when her cousin, Palesa comes to live with Mamello's family because she has inherited a lot of money from her parents. Palesa becomes the favourite child and Mamello becomes even more of an outcast. Mamello is a South African Cinderella story of a young woman's courage and perseverance to achieve her dream.