It seems as if amputees in South Africa are outliving their international peers
Yes, our national Anthem! Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika is a Christian hymn originally composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Xhosa clergyman at a Methodist mission school near Johannesburg.
“The Call of South Africa” is now the national anthem of South Africa. It is the only neo- modal national anthem in the world, by virtue of being the only one that starts in one key and finishes in another. And we sing it in three languages. Quite significant and the opening line literally means “God Bless Africa”.
If we look at South Africa today it is sometimes quite difficult to see where the blessing is. Newspaper headlines of the last few years paint a different picture. State capture, stealing politicians, looting, loadshedding, potholes, crime and corruption, rhino poaching and water supply issues to name but a few. “Nothing works in Africa” might be true.
But the flip side of the coin is that American and European research and statistics doesn’t work in South Africa as well. For example, take mortality rates in amputees.
Well researched “overseas” stats tell us that 44 percent, 66 percent and 85 percent of all amputees pass away in year one, three and five respectively after amputation. This is their averages. But, honestly and quite frankly, we do not see these figures on our side.
We see more amputees of all ages living fully integrated fulfilling lives than the stats from abroad might suggest. A truly phenomenal and strange occurrence for a third-world country. So, what brings this about is the next logical question.
Could it be our social structures and family support? Could it be our resilience and fighting spirit in the face of adversity? Could it be our humorous outlook towards problems? Could it be our tougher-than-tough attitude? Could it be the African sun shining in our hearts every day? Or the diversity in our population?
Our awesome rehabilitation protocols and level of prosthetics? Or is it something in the water? Or could it simply be God Blessing Africa and its people?
