Young court official in Secunda is thankful to have survived a brain tumour seven years ago and Covid-19 last year
He believes himself to be blessed that, besides a slight slur in his speech and having to wear spectacles, the tumour did not cause permanent damage.
SECUNDA – Mr Thokozani Khoza (30) is thankful to have recovered fully from a brain tumour years ago and then from Covid-19 in June last year.
“I remember being itchy and coughing a lot, but I did not think it was Covid-19,” said Mr Khoza.
He was quite stunned when, during his doctor’s visit, the doctor chased everyone out of the consultation rooms.
Mr Khoza fell very ill and was hospitalised.
He is thankful to have recovered, especially if taking into consideration that he is a cancer survivor.
This single father of a two-year-old girl named Tshiamo was only 23 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
He remembers that time as clear as day.
“My younger sister and I were with the church group, God’s Vision Ministries in Durban in 2013 when I collapsed during a walk on the beach.
“The doctor sent me for a brain scan and discovered I had a large tumour on the right side of my brain.”
Mr Khoza’s parents were extremely worried about their eldest child being so far from home. They discussed things with their pastor and decided that, although the oncologist advised against it, their very ill son had to come home.
According to Mr Khoza, soon after their arrival at about 2am, he began to have seizures.
“I was admitted to the N17 Hospital in Springs where the physician, Dr Van Wyk, the oncologist, Dr Van Vuuren and the neurologist, Dr Nhlapo were waiting.
“They examined me and looked at my scans and then proceeded to operate and remove the tumour.”
Mr Khoza was subjected to chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the next year.
He believes himself to be blessed that, besides a slight slur in his speech and having to wear spectacles, the tumour did not cause permanent damage. His academic achievements is proof of this.
Mr Khoza is constantly studying and has already obtained qualifications in marketing, project management and commercial law.
He is currently in the third year of a BA degree in policing and management in forensics.
He currently works as an E-scheduler at the Secunda Magistrate’s Court but has set his sights on becoming a forensic analyst.
He still takes his medication and goes for regular check-ups.
“Despite the Covid-19 setback, all is well,” he said.
