Spider bite drama ends well

IT started as a spider bite – a typical menace well familiar to Zululanders.

But gradually the poison spread and complications set in, leaving uMfolozi Municipal Manager Khulumokwakhe Elliot Gamede in intense pain and destined for well over a month in hospital, including nine visits to the operating theatre.

The bite triggered an immune reaction, leading to a gradual eating-away of the flesh of the calf muscle on his left leg.

Nothing seemed to help, and the wound grew bigger and uglier every day as the tissue rotted.

Thoughts even turned to amputation before a dramatic turn-around 10 days ago.

On Friday, Gamede was given the green light to continue his rehabilitation at home.

‘I did not believe my surgeon Dr van Rooyen when he gave me this news,’ said an elated Gamede.

‘This was after nine theatre procedures trying to fight the wound, followed by a very successful skin graft to cover the damaged part of the leg.

‘After being hospitalised for five weeks I am thankful that both my leg and my life were saved.’

Gamede is eternally grateful to the Bay Hospital staff and the medical team that treated him with great patience and perseverance.

‘I also wish to thank the Mayor of Mfolozi Local Municipality, Council and the staff at large for their support and comfort, family, friends and relatives and church members for their prayers and visits.

Gamede hopes to return to his active lifestyle before too long.

He was appointed MM at uMfolozi on 8 April after having served in the same capacity at Hlabisa, where he was also Director of Corporate Services for five years.

Before that he was a teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal from 1993 to 2004.

As a leading sports administrator and especially well respected in the netball fraternity, Gamede has travelled extensively in Africa and abroad on sports-related commitments.