WE FEEL SO HELPLESS
YOU South Africa|23 March 2023
She got listeriosis in the womb. Now 6, her health problems are draining her family emotionally and financially - and they hope a lawsuit will bring relief
NOKUTHULA ZWANE-EJIKE
WE FEEL SO HELPLESS

SIX years ago, life was good for the family. They lived in a comfortable home in the suburbs of Polokwane and their children went to a private school. But everything changed when their youngest was born. 

Since then, they’ve had to sell their home to make ends meet and move to a rural area near the Limpopo town, their

kids had to move schools and their medical aid is all but exhausted after they spent nearly R700 000 on treatment for their youngest. 

The little girl, known only as Baby T, has had one health issue after the other. She was born at 36 weeks and was just three weeks old when she had her first convulsion.  “It was so scary,” her mother, Maria

Nyembe*, says. “Nobody knew what was going on.” 

Baby T is one of the victims of a listeriosis outbreak that dominated headlines in 2017 and 2018 and struck fear into the hearts of families around the country. The outbreak – the worst in the world – affected 1 060 people and claimed 218 lives, many of them newborn babies. 

The source was traced by the department of health to polony manufactured at Tiger Brands’ Enterprise factory in Polokwane, a mere stone’s throw away from the Nyembes’ home at the time. 

When their child had her first convulsion Maria and her husband, Musa*, a financial manager at a bank, rushed her to their GP.

The doctor gave her medication and told them to watch her closely. Later that night the convulsions returned. 

Subsequent tests carried out by Baby T’s paediatrician confirmed she had listeriosis and she spent 10 days in intensive care where she was treated with strong antibiotics. 

Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 23 March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 23 March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

YOU SOUTH AFRICA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
YOU South Africa

PUSHED TO THE LIMIT

The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
YOU South Africa

HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY

Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache

time-read
10+ dak  |
5 September 2024
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
YOU South Africa

THE GROWN-UP BRAIN

If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!

time-read
3 dak  |
5 September 2024
THE eyes HAVE IT
YOU South Africa

THE eyes HAVE IT

They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area

time-read
1 min  |
5 September 2024
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
YOU South Africa

WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER

It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry

time-read
4 dak  |
5 September 2024
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
YOU South Africa

I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!

Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
YOU South Africa

'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'

When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
YOU South Africa

SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!

A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
YOU South Africa

READY TO SMILE AGAIN

A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth

time-read
5 dak  |
5 September 2024
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
YOU South Africa

HARRY AT A CROSSROADS

As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life

time-read
8 dak  |
5 September 2024