A brave Nombuyiselo Skafu, who has been close to death several times in the past few years, qualified for the World Transplant Games at the weekend after winning the 800m and 1,500m events at the South African Transplant Games in Port Elizabeth.
Skafu, 35, of Joe Slovo, ran the two races in the rain despite being HIV-positive and suffering kidney failure during her first pregnancy in 2010.
“People thought I would be sick after being exposed to the rain,” she said. “But I enjoyed every second of it.
“I cherish the fact I qualified for both events and will be participating in England.
“This would not have been possible had I not been sick in 2010. I thank God.”
The World Transplant Games take place in Newcastle, England, in August 2019.
Athletes from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape took part on Saturday at Nelson Mandela University in various sporting codes to try to qualify for the games.
Skafu, who was an avid runner before her pregnancy, never fully recovered after her baby was born at seven months, weighing only 1.4kg
“I just remained ill. For two years I was in and out of Dora Nginza Hospital,” she said
She finally met a dietician at Dora Nginza who referred her to the renal unit at Livingstone Hospital.
There, she was placed on dialysis in 2012 and continued with treatment for 32 months.
“Because I am HIV-positive, I developed infections,” she said.
Soon after, however, Skafu received a call from Dr Elmi Muller, who was heading a programme at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town for HIV-positive patients to receive kidneys from HIV-positive donors. She received her transplant on July 15 2015.
SA Transplant Sports’ Association executive secretary Hermann Steyn said the organisation had been established in 1994 to raise public awareness about organ donation.
“One has to be an organ recipient to take part in these events.
“This is the first step towards qualifying for the World Transplant Games.”
Alice Vogt, 33, of Johannesburg, who received two lungs, participated as a way to remain heathy.
“I ran 100m,” she said.
“It was a bit slow due to the heavy rains.
“I do not know yet whether I qualify or not.”
Five years ago, Marilee Chananie, 43, of Durban, had a kidney and pancreas transplant.
Chananie urged people to have a conversation about the importance of organ donation and said the games were a celebration of life.
“After a transplant, one is often separated from society, but this event is like a big family coming together.
“We have been given a second chance with unlimited potential. We are very grateful,” she said.