New lease of life for mother of three

INLSA

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo examines Zandile Mkhizes head. Mkhize recently had an operation to remove a tumour. Next to Dhlomo is Khalakathi Mkhize, the local chief and Zandiles grandfather.

The prospect of being able to go out in public without having to wear a hat is what Zandile is most looking forward to.

The Richmond woman has worn a hat since she developed a horn-shaped tumour more than a decade ago.

Mkhize said that she had been “unable to collect water from the river because of the tumour”, but an operation to remove the tumour last month had changed her life.

The mother-of-three said she was delighted with the result.

She has to go for regular check-ups, but is on the mend, with only the stitches in her head to show for her ordeal.

Life had returned to normal, she said, and she could go about her business, looking after her children and working about the house.

She has also been promised a new house and has finally been able to apply for an identity document.

The tumour began growing in 1999 and was removed only after she contacted SABC Television about its “Touching Lives” programme.

After the programme in which she was featured was aired, the Umgungundlovu municipality and the provincial Department of Health arranged for her to get treatment.

A team of doctors operated on Mkhize at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg two weeks ago, opening her cranium and removing the tumour and its roots.

Yesterday, Mkhize had further reason to celebrate when KZN Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo paid her a visit to check on her recovery.

Dhlomo was accompanied by local government officials, the chief for the area, Khalati Mkhize, who is Zandile’s grandfather, and staff from the hospital. They gave her a temporary identity document and groceries.

“We have communicated with the Department of Human Settlements and they have agreed to build you a home,” the MEC told Mkhize.

Dhlomo, a qualified doctor, examined Mkhize’s head and said she was recovering well.

Her family said they were delighted by her recovery and the help they were receiving from the government.

Her aunt, Michaelina Mkhize, said: “I am very happy these kids could get help.”

She also promised that her niece would be spared such chores as carrying water from the river.

“(Zandile) will never carry anything on her head.”