First Lady comes to Tembisa
Tobeka Madiba Zuma Foundation commemorates Word Cancer Day.
The Tobeka Madiba Zuma Foundation hosted a World Cancer Day event at Rabasotho Hall on Saturday as South African First Lady Tobeka Madiba Zuma commemorated the day with Tembisa residents.
The First Lady was accompanied by the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE)’s first lady, Mrs Sinazo Masina, together with the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, Clr Dora Mlambo.
World Cancer Day is a global cancer awareness event taking place every year on February 4 to unite the world’s population in the fight against cancer.
“Currently statics show that 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which 4 million people die prematurely between the ages of 30 and 69 years,” said First Lady Tobeka Madiba Zuma.
Various cancer survivors shared their testimonies of their experiences with the disease.
“I’m a breast cancer survivor. My life changed in 2007 when I noticed changes in my breast around June/July,” said Mrs Phungi Baloyi.
“I decided I should do something and consulted the doctor. The first doctor said it was nothing and the second doctor referred me for a mammogram and they did examinations and a few days later the doctor phoned me confirming the worst news – I have breast cancer,” said Baloyi.
She said that, for her, at the time, having cancer meant dying the next day.
Although she never understood why she contracted the disease, she added, she had all the support she needed from her husband, family and friends.
The First Lady said the work in her foundation includes advocating for people’s health.
“Our people should be enabled to get examined for these diseases equitably. People from the rural areas should not be deprived of these screenings,” said the SA First Lady.
“Please let us take care of our health – that is very important. Let’s promote a healthy lifestyle and social behavioral change, including exercise and correct nutrition. We all know that we have training equipment in our parks. Let us go there and utilise it,” said Clr Dora Mlambo.
The day was filled with performances from celebrity artists like Chomi and Liesl Penniken from the music group Jamali.
