She experienced weight-loss, chest pains, sweating and a loss of appetite, and despite having successfully recovered from a case of TB in 2005, she was once more diagnosed with the disease.

She began treatment shortly afterwards, following a referral from the doctor at the public hospital to a Khayelitsha clinic, but by May was told that the drugs were not working and that her TB was drug-resistant.

As the doctors were unsure as to how best to proceed with a pregnant patient, Magqazola was sent to Brooklyn Chest Hospital where she was observed for three months.

During this period her 7-year old daughter and new-born son were sent to live with her mother, and although they were allowed to visit, she had to wear a mask and the children had to sit outside in the fresh air.

She said that she would spend every day in hospital learning to sew and use beads, a routine that she enjoyed. However, the hospital experience was largely unpleasant:

‘€œI saw lots of worse-off people’€¦it made me feel weaker ‘€“ I used to see people dying everyday,’€ she said. ‘€œIt made me feel that I was going to die.’€

After the three-month period she was allowed home, but has to come into Site C clinic in Khayelitsha everyday for treatment. However, although her treatment seems to be working, she has experienced considerable negativity from other patients and members of the public.

‘€œPeople would stare when we started wearing masks,’€ she said, and described how people would edge-away from those wearing masks. ‘€œThey wouldn’€™t feel comfortable sitting next to TB patients.’€

Magqazola was, however, determined to be cured, and said that she was willing to put-up with people staring at her and moving away, because she knows that masks are crucial to preventing the spread of TB.

Although she can no longer transmit her TB, she is worried about being re-contaminated and says that she always leaves the windows open at home and in taxis.

She has been attending a drug-resistant TB support group at Site C clinic since last May, where the members counsel each other.

She describes how newly diagnosed members come to them crying, because they think they are going to die. Although some members of the group have not recovered, more experienced members are keen to reassure newcomers that if they follow their treatment programme and the doctor’€™s advice, then they should not be afraid.

When asked what the message is that she most wanted to convey Magqazola immediately replies: ‘€Drug-resistant TB can be cured.’€