As we commemorate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have decided to celebrate some of the South African women who who fought cancer and came out of the battle victoriously.
Lillian Dube
Lillian Dube is a South African TV executive producer and veteran actress. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, but like a true champion that she is, she triumphed. She is still championing and creating awareness around breast cancer and encourages every young women to go for breast cancer examination. #SheTriumphed
Zoleka Mandela
South African writer, activist and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. She denied treatment for three months, but later agreed to undergo the treatment and six years later, she’s cancer free. She now has a foundation and she works with various parties to create awareness around breast cancer. Zoleka encourages people know their cancer status and to silence cancer before it silences you. #SheTriumphed
Wilma van Der Bejl
Miss South Africa 1987, Wilma van Der Bejl was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Considering that she was healthy and had no track record of cancer in her family, she was shocked after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Thereafter she went through double mastectomy. She has been working and encouraging other women to have regular breast examinations and do everything to stay healthy. Despite her struggles during cancer, she still looks amazingly beautiful. #SheTriumphed.
Mbali Maphumulo
Local actress, Mbali Maphumulo battled breast cancer not only once, but twice. Some of us know her from TV shows such as 4Play: Sex tips for Girls and Muvhango. She went through double mastectomy after the second scare. Cancer is something that Maphumulo is familiar with since one of her family members once went through it. We celebrate you Mbali for fighting till the end and you came out on the winning side. #SheTriumphed