HIV status was ‘was our secret to keep & tell’
Njabulo Sibande* was born with HIV. His parents had been planning to tell the teenager until an aunt beat them to it. Njabulo’s parents say the unplanned disclosure has left the teen reeling.
Our Health
OurHealth is Health-e’s network of community journalists based in rural villages and townships across South Africa. We bring you grassroots reporting from the people who cover the communities they live in.
Read More » HIV status was ‘was our secret to keep & tell’
Free State woman motivates others to live postively
A young HIV-positive woman from the Free State is turning life’s lemons into lemonade, and inspiring others to live a positive life.
Childhood game fuels 30-year addiction
On World No Tobacco Day, Emson Bohitile Koiko reflects how a childhood game turned into a 30-year addiction to cigarretes.
Drinking, smoking and diabetes don’t mix
Being diagnosed with diabetes is the beginning of a lot of changes to the way you eat, what you drink and some of those bad habits. In a hard-drinking country like South Africa, putting down the bottle may be one of the toughest challenges for people living with diabetes.
Marikana residents could stay, receive services
Residents of Marikana informal settlement outside Pretoria say they have languished for years without water, electricity or rubbish removal services. As a court case continues that may lead to residents’ removal, there may be a way for the community to stay.
Cleaner busted for allegedly stealing, selling ARVs
A cleaner at Soweto’s Diepkloof Clinic has been arrested for allegedly stealing and selling antiretrovirals (ARVs) and other medicines following community tip offs.
Prison’s long shadow: Stigma haunts former convicts
The suicide of an ex-prisoner, who was allegedly stigmatised in his community because of his conviction, has left his mother reeling. A Northern Cape social worker has now called on communities to stop discriminating against those who have served their time for their crimes.
‘You’re fat’ doctors wrongly tell mother with post-pregnancy hernia
A mother of five in Limpopo alleges she has been sent from pillar to post for almost three years in her desperate attempt to get her hernia properly treated.
Gogo shares secrets to long life
Lucy Mahlangu is 100 years old and credits a life lived free of alcohol and cigarettes for her longevity.
Coping with childhood eczema
Thabitha Rakoma spent months trying to cure the dry patches of skin on her baby boy’s face until her local clinic diagnosed the problem.
Food activists threaten to boycott business, media
Representatives from more than 20 organisations including farmers’ cooperatives, waste pickers associations and unions recently marched to Times Media Group and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) offices to protest fast food advertising and high food prices.
More than 3,000 await cataract surgeries
The Gauteng Department of Health has almost halved the number of people awaiting sight-restoring cataract operations in the last year but more than 3,000 people are still waiting for their turn to see again.
Clinic shuts doors, turns away woman in labour
Nthabeleng Moloi alleges that Bethlehem’s Bohlokong Clinic closed its doors and sent her away after she arrived at the clinic in labour. She ultimately delivered her baby by herself.
Maternal mental health: Baby and bipolar
Exams, pregnancy and a new baby – life for 17-year-old Busi Sibande* had been hectic, which is why her family thought nothing of her strange behavior until the new mum was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Tshwane to upgrade Soshanguve clinic
Construction to upgrade Soshanguve's Block JJ Clinic is expected to be completed by July. The clinic’s upgrade, which includes new buildings, comes after residents complained about poor infrastructure and long queues at the clinic, according to Lindela Mashigo, City of Tshwane director of media relations, communication, marketing and events .