Mayor, businessman help Banyana star in cancer fight

LIFE has not been easy for former Banyana Banyana star Makhosi Luthuli who is battling lymphatic cancer.

The 45-year-old’s face has been deformed by a cancerous tumour which has been growing for the past seven years. And she said that people are frightened.

“The tumour keeps on growing… When people see me, especially females, they stare at me and start talking. Others ask what I have.

“Sometimes I am forced to stay indoors because of the pain, it has really been difficult,” said Luthuli.

She has lost her teeth so is unable to eat properly, she struggles to breathe and cannot see out of her left eye.

Luthuli said she has been surviving on a diet of soft bland food.

The former footballer used to hit the back of the net during her heydays in the 1990s, where she represented Banyana in the Africa Cup of Nations and accrued 48 international caps before she retired in 2005.

Chemotherapy and radiography have not helped her cancer battle. She has desperately approached ethekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede’s office for assistance.

Last week, Gumede’s foundation, and businessman Sandile Zungu donated R100 000 for medical expenses and transport costs.

“My prayers have been answered after I have suffered for such a long time. I will be able to attend all the medical specialists who I believe will be able to treat me,” said Luthuli.

Despite the hardships, her passion for football has not been lost. She coaches a women’s football club in her hometown Mariannhill, near Pinetown, west of Durban.

“Sometimes I get so sick that I cannot coach, but my heart is always with the club,” she said.

Said Gumede: “I am so happy that she will be able to see the necessary specialists and get help. I am thankful for what Sandile has done”.