Johannesburg south resident Nosiphiwo Mandlelize survives coronavirus
“I feel there is a need to speak about issues we face as women as well in this country, and talking about the virus is one of them.”
Johannesburg south resident Nosiphiwo Mandlelize (34) is a coronavirus survivor.
She spoke to the CHRONICLE about her journey with the virus and said she is not sure how she contracted it because she was complying with all safety precautions.
“I still question how I tested positive. I have been working from home since lockdown was implemented, making sure I stay safe. I only got exposed in public when I needed to get essentials, which I did while practising social distancing and wearing my mask,” she explained.
Mandlelize said she is totally aware of the virus and that it can be contracted by anyone.
“After the pandemic hit the country, as a parent, I had to do research to protect my children from the virus. I needed to learn how to alert them health-wise, for them not to panic when they are in school.”
After she tested positive, Mandlelize was in shock.
“I could just tell something was not right with me. I lost my sense of smell, but I was in denial that it was the virus. “Eventually, I decided to get tested and the result was positive. “I tried to keep calm and focus on my health since I learnt what the virus can do. It wasn’t a big scare because I knew I was going to beat the disease. I just had to inform my family. Upon hearing the news, they were anxious,” she said.
Mandlelize said since she lived in a commune, she had to inform her neighbours about it.
“With no knowledge of how I contracted the virus, I had to tell them so that they too can be tested. Tenants were panicking and told the landlord I was positive. That did not have a very pleasant outcome.
“I was called out and told tenants are complaining. I was also told I needed to leave, which did not make sense because when you are positive you need to be quarantined alone without anyone. I was treated unfairly and felt threatened.”
She said she had to send her children to her family in the Eastern Cape while she was to be in isolation. She was doing very well and learnt a lot about the virus. The fact that she was evicted from her place of residence broke her. She believed when you are in quarantine you need support and be taken care of.
“My clothes and personal belongings were thrown out of my place, but I held my head up to focus on getting my health back.” Through it all, Mandlelize realised people should speak out about the virus, must not hide their experiences and not be ashamed.
“We need to talk about it more. People need to know the virus exists. People need to be taught more and take it extremely seriously,” she said.
She added that people also need to realise you can contract the virus even if you are cautious and responsible.
“I feel there is a need to speak about issues we face as women in this country, and talking about the virus is one of them. We cannot keep quiet because we are afraid the community may treat us badly. “We need to learn to talk and be open so that we can educate each other about such issues. As we speak, there are people out there who don’t believe there is life after the coronavirus.
“We also need to continue with these messages and teach each other to love and care for one another. No one deserves to be discriminated against because of the coronavirus. It is a pandemic and it is no one’s fault if you have been affected.”
