Prince Nhlanganiso puts a face to TB plight
KING Goodwill Zwelithini’s son Prince Nhlanganiso, who fought and beat TB, yesterday revealed how the disease had taken its toll on him after he was first diagnosed eight years ago.
The former professional soccer player, who is now a TB and HIV/Aids activist, took off his shirt to show hundreds of people at the World TB Day commemoration in Durban the scars caused by the disease.
World TB Day will be commemorated tomorrow to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of the diseases, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
He discovered he had the disease, which has been described as one of the worst killers, in 2010.
Although he did not explain how he contracted the disease, Nhlanganiso said it left his body with irreparable damage as he lost his left lung.
“I spent three full months in bed at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital unable to breathe. My breathing level was at 15%,” he said.
“TB treatment normally takes six months, but it took me nine months because one of my lungs had collapsed and it had to be removed.”
Deputy President David Mabuza, King Zwelithini and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi were among the dignitaries at the Cato Manor sport field outside Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital.
Prince Nhlanganiso said for him to contract TB was a demonstration that the disease did not care about family status.
“Whether you are from a royal family, it does not matter when it comes to the disease. Even if you are a deputy president,” he said.
He said he had taken a decision to spend most of his time at hostels and informal settlements educating others about TB.
Mabuza said he had been touched by Nhlanganiso’s story, which he said demonstrated how the disease could be defeated although it leaves irreparable damage.
“You have given TB sufferers a voice, and you have given victims a face. You are a living champion of the fight against the disease. I am very proud of you,” said Mabuza.
He called on traditional leaders to participate in the fight against TB by identifying sufferers in their communities and helping them to get treatment, which is free at government health-care centres.
Motsoaledi said Durban had been rated one of the worst TB-affected metros in the country, while Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo said last year alone there 22 000 people who were found to have the disease in the province.