Community helps Mkhonza twins from eMzinoni
Bethal SAPS Men for Change and Women’s Network, in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services, Boxer Superstore, Specsavers Bethal, Thomas-Heights Ambassador, Sasol N17 and Govan Mbeki Disability Forum reached out to the family.
Different community organisations and businesses used their 67 minutes for Mandela Day to help Lwandile and Lwanele Mkhonza, 16-year-old twins from eMzinoni who suffer from a rare autosomal recessive disorder called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP).
XP causes various types of cancer. Ridge Times recently published a story about the twins and their mother, Phumzile Mkhonza, who battles to keep things afloat.
Mkhonza asked the community for help because her sons needed soft foods, sunglasses, and numerous other items.
The boys suffer from tumours on their tongues. One has lost both his eyes and the left part of his nose, while the other lost one eye from cancer. Both had numerous operations.
With this cancer, they cannot be in the sun – only two minutes could badly burn their skin. There is no cure for XP.
The twins were excited to go to Durban to see an internationally known dermatologist, who they hoped could help them but their trip had to be cancelled.
Bethal SAPS Men for Change and Women’s Network, in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services, Boxer Superstore, Specsavers Bethal, Thomas-Heights Ambassador, Sasol N17, and Govan Mbeki Disability Forum reached out to the family.
When he met with the family, Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, the social crime prevention and communications officer, noticed the family needed household items and groceries.
He then informed the Men for Change and Women’s Network at the police station about the family and both teams pledged to make a difference.
Mogadime championed the project and partnered with the Department of Correctional Services, Sesifikile Youth Development Centre, and local businesses.
All the stakeholders contributed to donating special food, sunscreen lotions, polarised sunglasses, hats, cash and other items on July 18.
ALSO CHECK: eMzinoni cancer twins’ Durban trip cancelled
Representatives from all stakeholders gave messages of support to the family.
Captain Mandla Maseko thanked all the stakeholders and businesses for supporting the initiative. Mkhonza said she appreciates what the organisations did for her children, especially the sunscreen creams and sunglasses.
“The sunscreen is essential for the boys. They can also not use ordinary soap because their skin is sensitive.”
Mkhonza said people asked how she ended up living with her two sick children in a two-room shack at her parents’ home.
“The boys were only two years old when their father passed away. At the time, we were living in an RDP house, but life became so difficult that it forced us to move to survive,” said Mkhonza.
ALSO CHECK: Help eMzinoni twins who suffer from rare cancer tumour-causing disorder
Mkhonza said their life is difficult as she cannot leave the children and look for work.
“I am worried about living in the shack during the summer because Lwandile and Lwanele are not supposed to be exposed to any heat.”
Mkhonza wishes her twins could do home-schooling. She said the MEC for Health in Mpumalanga, Sesekane Manzini, sent her staff from the Bethal Hospital to examine the twins.
“I am happy because the children can now get medical attention, although the sunscreen is always out of stock at that hospital.”
Mkhonza said she appreciates all community members and businesses helping her children.
