Health-e News

Health-e News Health-e News is a non-profit, online publication focused on pressing health issues in South Africa.

We centre community voices through our network of nationwide community journalists.

: "Most times I accept food as payment."That's how 66-year-old Sekhwele Mnisi helps put food on the table for his famil...
30/07/2026

: "Most times I accept food as payment."

That's how 66-year-old Sekhwele Mnisi helps put food on the table for his family in Ga-Motodi village near Burgersfort in Limpopo.

The widower lives with his three adult children and two young grandchildren. Between his old-age grant, child support grants and occasional odd jobs, the family has a monthly income of R3,460.

After paying for water, paraffin, candles and firewood, they are left with about R50 a day to feed four adults and two children.

When there is nothing left to eat, Mnisi tells his children to drink water and have faith that God will provide.

This is the second story in Health-e News' Hungry For Change series.

This is one family's story, but it isn't the only one. If hunger has affected you, your family or your community, share your story in the comments. We want to hear from you.

👇 Full story in the comments
✍️ Via Thomo Nkgadima.

[OPINION] The tools to fight hepatitis already exist. So what's stopping progress?Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Ka...
29/07/2026

[OPINION] The tools to fight hepatitis already exist. So what's stopping progress?

Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya says the biggest challenge isn't science, it's making sure people can access prevention, testing and treatment.

👇 Full story in the comments.

What does it really take to keep initiates safe during initiation season?For five weeks, Health-e News regularly visited...
29/07/2026

What does it really take to keep initiates safe during initiation season?

For five weeks, Health-e News regularly visited an initiation school in Komani, Eastern Cape.

Our reporter saw first-hand how much responsibility falls on the amakhankatha, traditional nurses, who care for initiates around the clock.

They monitor wounds, prepare food, watch for health problems, provide guidance and discipline, and stay with initiates throughout the five weeks.

But during visits to the initiation school, Health-e News also observed some traditional nurses drinking alcohol while on duty, and parents bringing them alcohol.

This year's winter initiation season saw 43 initiates die across several provinces, including 14 in the Eastern Cape, according to the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission.

👇 Full story in the comments
✍️ Via Tembile Sgqolana.

: What's one thing you've had to give up because of higher food prices?Hungry For Change, our eight-part series, goes b...
28/07/2026

: What's one thing you've had to give up because of higher food prices?

Hungry For Change, our eight-part series, goes beyond the stats and shares the stories behind South Africa's hunger crisis and the difficult choices families make every day.


[Photo: Unsplash]

: What happens when putting food on the table becomes impossible?A Johannesburg mother says she had "no other alternati...
28/07/2026

: What happens when putting food on the table becomes impossible?

A Johannesburg mother says she had "no other alternative" but to sell s*x to feed her three children.

Zinzi*, 32, from Lenasia South, says selling chicken feet isn't enough to buy groceries in bulk, so she often buys just enough food for one meal.

On the hardest days, the family survives on pap alone and sometimes shares one plate.

Earlier this year, her youngest daughter spent a week in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital after doctors said she was malnourished and not getting enough nutritious food.

No one should have to make impossible choices just to feed their family. Has food insecurity changed your life or forced you to make difficult choices?

We'd like to hear your story as part of our Hungry For Change series.

👇 Full story in the comments
✍️ Via Lerato Kodisang

28/07/2026

[WATCH] : One plate. Four people. Some days, that’s all there is.

A Johannesburg mother of three says she sells chicken feet and s*x because it’s the only way she can feed her children.

Living in Lenasia South, Zinzi* says the money she earns isn’t enough to buy groceries in bulk, so she often buys just enough food for one meal. On the hardest days, the family survives on pap alone and sometimes shares one plate.

Earlier this year, her youngest daughter spent a week in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital after doctors said she was malnourished and not getting enough nutritious food.

No one should have to make impossible choices just to feed their family. Has food insecurity changed your life or forced you to make difficult choices?

We’d like to hear your story as part of our Hungry For Change series.

🔗 More at the link in bio via Lerato Kodisang.

28/07/2026

[WATCH] : "I had no other alternative but to sell s*x to feed my children."

That's what a Johannesburg mother of three says she was forced to do after separating from her husband. She also sells chicken feet, but says it's not enough to keep food on the table.

Living in Lenasia South, Zinzi*, 32, says she often buys food one meal at a time because she can't afford groceries in bulk. On the hardest days, the family survives on pap alone, sometimes sharing a single plate.

After separating from her husband in 2019, Zinzi* says she turned to s*x work because she had no other way to feed her children. Sometimes clients pay her in cash. Other times, they buy food instead.

Earlier this year, her youngest daughter spent a week in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital after doctors said she was malnourished and not getting enough nutritious food.

No one should have to make impossible choices just to feed their family. Has food insecurity changed your life or forced you to make difficult choices? We'd like to hear your story as part of our Hungry For Change series.

👇 Full story in the comments
✍️ Via Lerato Kodisang

What does hunger really look like in South Africa?Health-e News is launching an eight-part series, Hungry For Change, ex...
27/07/2026

What does hunger really look like in South Africa?

Health-e News is launching an eight-part series, Hungry For Change, exploring South Africa's hunger crisis through the stories behind the statistics.

14-million people go hungry in South Africa. Over the coming weeks, our community journalists will visit communities across the country to show how unemployment, rising food costs and poor access to basic services affect what families can eat.

Hunger affects millions of people. But every story matters, including yours. Tell us how high food prices are affecting you or your community.

👇 Find out more in the comments

27/07/2026

[WATCH] The doctor had already been suspended. But parents in one Limpopo village only found out after their sons were hospitalised following circumcisions.

Doris Mosena says she didn't know any of that when she took her eight-year-old son, Thapelo, for circumcision at a makeshift surgery in Slaaphoek village after hearing about the doctor from people in her community.

She says she paid R500 for the circumcision. Soon afterwards, her son was in severe pain. When his wound didn't heal, he spent a week in Helen Franz Hospital after it became infected.

Mosena's son wasn't the only child who needed medical care. Five boys were taken to public health facilities after having circumcisions at the makeshift surgery.

Police later arrested a 66-year-old suspect, and the Health Professions Council of South Africa - HPCSA confirmed the suspect had been suspended in 2021 and was not authorised to perform medical procedures.

👇 Full story in the comments
✍️ Via Moyahabo Mabeba

27/07/2026

[WATCH] The doctor had already been suspended. But parents in one Limpopo village only found out after their sons were hospitalised following circumcisions.

Doris Mosena says she didn’t know any of that when she took her eight-year-old son, Thapelo, for circumcision at a makeshift surgery in Slaaphoek village after hearing about the doctor from people in her community.

She says she paid R500 for the circumcision. Soon afterwards, her son was in severe pain. When his wound didn’t heal, he spent a week in Helen Franz Hospital after it became infected.

Mosena’s son wasn’t the only child who needed medical care. Five boys were taken to public health facilities after having circumcisions at the makeshift surgery.

Police later arrested a 66-year-old suspect, and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) confirmed the suspect had been suspended in 2021 and was not authorised to perform medical procedures.

🔗 More at the link in bio.
✍️ Via Moyahabo Mabeba

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