Community Unites for TB Awareness Walk in Pienaar

As part of World Tuberculosis (TB) Month commemorations in March, community members from Pienaar and surrounding areas took part in a TB Awareness Walk on March 28. The walk aimed to educate residents about the dangers of TB and the importance of early testing and consistent treatment.

The event was spearheaded by Lifa Lesive Community Development (LLCD), in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Health and the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO).

According to LLCD founder Lucky Nkosi, the initiative was born out of the community’s struggles with limited access to healthcare.

“TB is a highly infectious disease that requires urgent attention. The walk was a success, and the support from residents was encouraging. We started this initiative because many local clinics lack the resources to adequately support TB patients,” he said.

Recent statistics from the National Department of Health revealed that over 50,000 people died from TB in 2022, making it one of the deadliest diseases in the country.

Sizwe Nkosi, a TB coordinator for the Department of Health in Mpumalanga, emphasized the need for community-level awareness.

“We have clinics in Pienaar, Daantjie, and Msogwaba assisting TB patients. However, many people diagnosed with TB stop taking their medication, which worsens their condition. Education is key in fighting this disease,” he explained.

The event also underscored the critical role that traditional healers play in addressing public health challenges. Levy Nkosi, a representative from the THO, noted that many people still seek traditional remedies for serious illnesses like TB.

“TB is the second most dangerous disease in South Africa after HIV. While traditional healing is important in our culture, TB needs medical attention. We’re here to encourage people to combine our support with clinical treatment, proper medication, and nutrition,” he said.

The awareness walk not only brought the community together but also served as a call to action — urging residents to get tested, seek treatment early, and help reduce TB infections in the region.