MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Manwell Mpofu is part of the Covid-19 Response Team at Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital.
He says: "We phone patients and offer them support. If they still have symptoms, we escalate them to the next level. They can be taken to quarantine. We do telephonic counselling, allay anxiety and reinforce the safety precautions, the wearing of masks and so forth."
Manwell (52) has poured out his life, counselling and seeing to others' health - previously he was a professional nurse - while he lives with excruciating pain and a life-threatening blood disorder - haemophilia.
Haemophiliacs bleed spontaneously. Their blood does not clot.
Manwell was born one of 10 children, but all his nine siblings have died because of haemophilia complications and now he supports the 16 dependants his siblings left behind in Zimbabwe.
"I'm looking forward to meeting my siblings when I die. I'll ask them: 'Why did you guys leave me alone like this?'" Manwell says.
No cartilage left
"Haemophilia progresses as you age. It affected my knees. I don't have any cartilage left. I walk bone on bone.
"I'm in constant pain. I don't use any painkillers anymore. I just accept the pain. I have tried everything. I use a walking stick. I am awaiting a knee replacement. Covid-19 has delayed everything. The operation is not yet confirmed. I have to consult a haematologist on 29 September."
Manwell had a knee replaced in 2014. Since the operation he has not been able to bend his leg, so he walks, sits and sleeps with the leg straight.
"Before I had my knee replaced, the doctors told me they would not do the operation because it would bring their profession into disrepute. The chances of me bleeding to death were 100%. I said I was prepared to sign the consent form, knowing at least I would have died in a quest to get better. I came out of the operation and I am still alive six years after that and am going for another operation."
Stop nursing
Manwell had to stop nursing because of the pain and take on an administration job.
"I worked in ICU on these painful legs, serving people. I ask why I am in pain. But in my pain I am giving life and help to people. It is psychologically mind boggling. I don't stand at the traffic lights and beg. I look after my family and 16 people in Zimbabwe. My condition is more than terrible. I no longer have words to describe it."
Manwell started a non-profit organisation to help others in Zimbabwe too. "I mobilised forces here in Mossel Bay, across all races. I hooked up with other faith-based organisations to get help."
Manwell thanks Fanie Oosthuizen of Albertinia Vervoer, who provided his own trucks and labour free of charge for taking provisions to Johannesburg. A Catholic priest took them across the border to Zimbabwe.
Manwell says of his wife, Tina: "She has gone through a lot. She is my hero. Not many ladies would stand by me, the kind of man I am. Three quarters of my money is sent to Zimbabwe every month.
'You empathise'
"Nursing is a profession where you empathise. You take people's pain, suffering and psychological problems. You become people's eyes and ears, the voice of the voiceless, especially if you are compromised like me. You are counselling people and they cry to you.
"Tina asks me: 'How do you give when we don't have?'
"I know the pain of not having. I'm not giving out of abundance. I give out of my heart."
Manwell adds: "I fear God, deep down in my soul, and He has carried me through all this. Nothing else has carried me except God's grace."
He has a registered company, Amazing Grace Eden Pro[ductions]. "My dream is to interview people who have done significant things and people in the audience will ask sensitive questions on how they managed to achieve these things. It might motivate others."
'I was motivated'
Manwell says he worked for the Piet Julies NPO. "When I read the story about Piet Julies, I was motivated. He was in his darkest hour, dying of Aids. He had R200 in his locker and gave it to a doctor and said: 'Use this to save my people.'
"In pain or at your lowest ebb, you are able to change lives. I want to be remembered as a guy who did something, not as a haemophiliac."
Manwell has two children, Emmanuel (9) and Ebenezer (5). He says it is a miracle he and Tina had two boys because boys are not haemophilia carriers. Girls are carriers.
Manwell came to Mossel Bay when the special medication he needed became scarce in Zimbabwe. "Also, the bad politics and violence started. Mossel Bay has a unique tranquility and I like the weather. The municipality is good."
It is Manwell's dream to start a support group for haemophiliacs.
Also, he wants to collaborate with others regarding his production company vision and his NPO. He asks people to contact him (063 885 5141) if they are interested in joining forces with him.
"I want to see widows, the youth and the vulnerable being helped. We must bring back the family unit. There is a saying: 'If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go with others.'"
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
