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Roselyne Sachiti Features, Health and Society Editor
• Yet to undergo lung surgical operations to clear tumours
• Yet to undergo lung surgical operations to clear tumours
• First session supposed to start tomorrow
• 100 000 rands and other donations used up
• Each chemotherapy session costs 19 000 rands
UZ student SteveJohn Matapure (21) is also battling lung and bone marrow cancer according to latest medical tests he underwent after his initial surgery to remove a huge tumour from his right shoulder.
Speaking from Johannesburg, South Africa during a media briefing organised by Zororo Phumulani, an affiliate of Doves Zimbabwe this afternoon, his sister in law Rebecca made a passionate appeal for more funds to enable SteveJohn to undergo three sessions of chemotherapy per week.
Each chemotherapy session costs 19 000 Rands and the first session is supposed to start tomorrow (March 2). Rebecca said despite having part of the tumour on his right hand removed, SteveJohn still requires additional funds for surgery. She also said he has responded well to the initial surgery and can now stand and move a bit, something he could not do before.Zororo Phumulani chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Edwin Anderson, whose company assisted SteveJohn with 100 000 Rands, which he has been using for treatment, appealed to other companies, corporates and individuals from across the globe to continue assisting.“Zororo-Phumulani has experienced the quintessential joy of giving, and we continue working to assist SteveJohn to the best of our ability. We invite you to join us in helping SteveJohn recover his health, complete his education and fulfill his purpose in life,” he said.
He added: “On behalf of Zororo-Phumulani, I would like to thank all those who have helped in cash or kind. Friends across the world who have helped Steve through the Go Fund me platform and the Back a buddy platform, may the Almighty bless you abundantly.
“We extend our appeal to all who are moved to lend a helping hand, we will continue to use the Back a buddy platform with the following details www.backabuddy.co.za/steve-matapiri.”
Mr Anderson said Zororo-Phumulani heeded Steve’s call for help a month ago and visited him at his brother`s home in Louis Trichardt, in the province of Limpopo, South Africa.
“On realising the gravity of the situation, Zororo-Phumulani pledged R100 000 towards SteveJohn Mutapiri`s medical fees,” he said.
On February 10 2021, SteveJohn was admitted at Mediclinic Hospital in Limpopo for a surgical operation of the tumoured shoulder. “Zororo-Phumulani, together with friends who contributed 23 000 Rands through Go Fund Me platforms took care of the bills for the initial medical tests, as well as the initial surgical operations.”
Mr Anderson added that according to the doctors, the battle is far from being won for SteveJohn, as he has yet to undergo lung surgical operations to clear tumours, and thereafter he will receive chemotherapy treatment sessions to eradicate the malignant cells in his bone marrow. “The fees for these procedures are so steep that the 100 000 Rands we gave to the family, and other donations that came in through
Go Fund and Back a buddy have since been used up. “Today, as CEO and on behalf of Zororo-Phumulani, I am making a plea to the business community, organisations and individuals to join hands and help pull resources together for this humanitarian cause. Alone we are like one drop, but united, we are like a mighty ocean,” he said.
Mr Anderson added that while the task at hand is indeed insurmountable for the family, together with them, they pin their hopes on the strength in numbers.“Once we stand together, we can surmount seemingly insurmountable challenges of the day. There’s no problem too big for a people committed to each other’s welfare,” he said.
He revealed that in the coming few weeks, Zororo-Phumulani will be hosting its annual laptop donation program, in which SteveJohn will also benefit.“The 2021 laptop donation edition comes at a time when students across the globe are really in need of laptops because of the Covid -19 lockdowns. Steve John Mutapiri automatically becomes one of the many students that will receive a laptop from this program. As we have done in the past five years, students who passed their matric exams for 2020 and have been admitted in various tertiary institutions will benefit from this program which seeks to empower our youths,” he said.
He added they strongly believe that the future lies with the youth hence it is important to empower every one of them.
“The fervent prayers of Zororo-Phumulani are with Steve and his family and we strongly believe that the much needed resources will come in from institutions and individuals for our brother to receive treatment. To Steve, who is not here today I say, hang in there brother, we are all looking forward to your speedy recovery,” he said.
• The Back a buddy details are as follows :www.backabuddy.co.za/steve-matapiri
• The direct Account details are as follows BANK :ABSA Account number :9357253654• For more information contact :Mr Mutapiri +27 79 068 3763, Mrs R Mutapiri +27 74 643 9851 +27 609317058
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