SYNDROME: Urgent public drive to raise funds launched to assist three-year-old girl suffering from a rare disease to receive specialised medical attention…

By WSAM Reporter

Recently crowned Miss World South Africa Mmakgaka Claude Mashego took time off from her hectic schedule to grace non-profit organisation Afrika Tikkun’s Uthando Centre in Johannesburg, and spent precious time with a little disabled warrior, Mimmie (3).

Mimmie’s radiant spirit, unwavering strength, and beautiful smile – despite battling her rare condition –  left an indelible impression on Mashego, especially her passion for life and inspired the Miss World SA queen to join the campaign to the young girl.

Mimmie was born with Feingold Syndrome, a rare autosomal hereditary disorder largely characterised bymicrocephaly (a smaller-than-normal head), complications with the oesophagus, intestines and limb malformations. As a result, Mimmie is unable to attend school due to her limited mobility.

Despite the current fitting of temporary left and right prostheses, Mimmie faces a challenge, as these prostheses do not accommodate her growth. She will need to transition to prostheses that can be adjusted to her growing needs.

A public campaign to raise funds for Mimmie’s legs and the medical support is currently underway, to give her a fighting chance at leading a life like any other child her age.

Afrika Tikkun is committed to exploring all avenues to provide Mimmie with the necessary support and resources. The non-profit body’s goal is to raise R120 000, having collected R53 397.56 towards the total figure to date. The total cost of R120 000 covers consultation fees, therapy sessions and the provision of two professionally manufactured and fitted prosthetic legs suitable for at least three years. Any additional services, such as occupational therapy, will be assessed after the fitting of the prostheses.

An appeal to the public for contributions and assistance in this matter is being sought, to improve her quality of life and to enable her to be included in her community and society.

Meanwhile, her plight has inspired an initiative called “Mimmie’s Campaign” to raise funds towards assisting her to receive specialised medical attention. With first-hand experience with a cousin whose child was born with cerebral palsy, Mashego understands the challenges faced by families dealing with disabilities.

In Mashego’s words, “For Mimmie’s Mom when Mimmie is sick, she is also sick and when Mimmie is happy, she is equally happy.” This personal connection fuels our commitment to making a difference in the lives of children like Mimmie.

Mashego, winner of the first edition of the Miss World South Africa contest last October, is a medical doctor and surgeon who has founded the Young Leaders Network (YLN), which fosters emerging leaders and community contributors through mentorship and guidance.

Afrika Tikkun is a non-profit organisation celebrating 30 years of providing education, health, and social services to disadvantaged communities within South Africa, through its five centres of excellence.

Help Mimmie lead a normal life and walk tall with confidence by going to: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/let-us-help-mimmie-lead-a-normal-life

TIRELESS MAHLANGU HOSTS UMPTEENTH EXHIBITION

COLLECTION: Boasting an illustrious artistic journey spanning more than 50 years, the octogenarian prepares to showcase her works both in South Africa and the United States…

By Funeka Bambalele

At the age of 88, legendary muralist and painter Esther Mahlangu has no plans of slowing down.

The seasoned artist wants to die with a feather on her hand – if there ever was something like that. After decades of pursuing her passion, Mahlangu vows she can never separate herself from something she started doing at the age of 10. Her bold resolve to forge on regardless of old age comes just a week ahead of her biggest exhibition opening at Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town – one of the many she has held across the world over the past years.

The Cape Town-based institution is exhibiting Mahlangu’s creations to pay homage and celebrate her incredible journey and legacy spanning over 50 years. Her exhibition simply titled “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective”.

Thankfully, art enthusiasts will have ample time to feast on Mahlangu’s work as it will be on display for six months. More than 100 artworks have been loaned from international collections, carefully curated alongside historic photographs and a short film.

The exhibition also features Mahlangu’s BMW 525i Art Car which makes its historic return to South Africa for the first time in more than 30 years. Mahlangu became the first woman and first African to be invited to participate in the prestigious BMW Art Car Collection in 1991.

Mahlangu’s upcoming exhibition, which opens on February 17, is curated by Nontobeko Ntombela. Following the stint in Cape Town, it will then begin its global tour, stopping first at Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg, before moving to the United States in early 2026.

Ntombela explains the exhibition: “Mahlangu’s journey is a testament to passion, innovation, and resilience. The retrospective pays homage to Esther Mahlangu’s unique approach to art, which intersects African cultures with modernity and the contemporary. The exhibition celebrates Mahlangu’s voice, agency, and pioneering spirit, symbolising self-enunciation, self-determination and creativity.”

The utterly shy Mahlangu recounts her artistic journey which began in the 1940s: “I would continue to paint on the house when they left for a break. When they came back, they would say: ‘What have you done, child? Never do that again!’ After that, I started drawing on the back of the house, and slowly my drawings got better and better until they finally asked me to come back to the front of the house. Then I knew I was good at painting.”

“Painting has always been a part of me. I cannot separate it from myself, and neither would I want to. I look forward to sharing my practice and long and colourful story with you during my upcoming Retrospective Exhibition.”