Pimville mother living with epilepsy appeals for community support
Living with epilepsy and recovering from a stroke, a Pimville mother is seeking assistance to improve her family's living conditions and access essential support.
Nonkululeko Msimang from Zone 1, Pimville, is a mother living with epilepsy who is struggling to provide for her family. She has three children.
Her eldest son is unemployed, while her two younger sons are still studying.
Msimang is a former South African Airways (SAA) cabin crew member. She became ill in 2008, and her condition resulted in memory loss.
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As her health deteriorated, she decided to resign from her job.
Photo: Tsengela Muedi
Her mother, who was a nurse, used her pension money to build a house for the family. However, she was later diagnosed with dementia before the house was completed, leaving the project unfinished.
Msimang is concerned about her family’s living conditions. Their home has a leaking roof, damaged furniture, collapsing ceilings and unfinished floors, leaving the house dusty because it has not been tiled.
Jacinta Nene, a neighbour and family friend, described Msimang as highly intelligent.
“After she completed matric, her late mother, Bongiwe Msimang, and I encouraged her to study to become a flight attendant. She was employed by SAA as a cabin crew member, initially working on domestic flights before moving on to international routes,” said Nene.
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Nene said the demands of the job eventually took their toll on Msimang’s health. She believes the family needs medical care, counselling, financial assistance, school uniforms, groceries and furniture.
Msimang said people often judged her because they did not understand her condition.
“People used to say I was crazy because they didn’t understand my brain condition. I had to sell my cars because I could no longer drive after becoming ill.
“I suffer from memory loss and poor judgement. I am grateful that I will now be receiving a disability grant. I also suffered a stroke earlier this year and remain very ill. I was discharged from Baragwanath Hospital last week,” she said.
Msimang appealed for medical assistance, financial support and counselling for herself and her family.
