Dalene Kooper

KEETMANSHOOP – In the face of harsh economic conditions, coupled with a life-changing and threatening diagnosis, Catherine Mayumbelo (18) confronts each with measured optimism, knowing that whatever challenges befall her, a brighter day beckons.

Life took a different turn when Mayumbelo and her mother, Jacobina Seister, found out she was diagnosed with leukaemia in early May last year.

“Cathrine started getting sick in April last year. We had quite a lot of doctors’ appointments before they found cancer in her blood on 15 May,” Seister recalled.

Mayumbelo is currently stranded at home with her mother and caretaker in the Aus settlement in the //Kharas region.

She was a grade 12 learner at Suiderlig Secondary School in Keetmanshoop before the constant doctor visits forced her to leave school.

“I saw how sad she was when she saw her schoolmates go to university this year. It affected her,” the concerned mother said.

Most of Mayumbelo’s medical bills are covered by her father’s medical aid. 

 However, they struggle with the monthly visits to Windhoek for the treatment.

“We are financially strapped when we have to find accommodation, food and travel fare every time we must see the doctor in Windhoek,” Seister said.

She works at a nursery school in Aus, taking care of Mayumbelo, her younger sister and grandchildren.

“I work at a local nursery school, taking care of two of my grandchildren alongside my two daughters at home,” she said.

Seister added that her daughter’s body is in remission, meaning the cancer can only be found in the bone marrow.

As such, Mayumbelo needs to have a bone transplant as soon as possible.

“She is usually in hospital. Only now that the doctor allowed her to come home and get some fresh air before she returns to the Constancia Mediclinic in Windhoek on 18 April,” Seister shared.

Mayumbelo and her mother are scheduled to travel to Cape Town for a bone marrow transplant surgery.

With her love for language, Mayumbelo hopes to one day study linguistics.

“I believe I am quite good in languages, so I hope to study at a university and become a linguist,” she enthused.

Her confidence, which some may misconstrue for bravado, is not misplaced.

It comes from a place of authority, if looking at her past academic performances is anything to go by.

Her mother presented her grade 11 certificate, where Mayumbelo obtained an A symbol in English and a B in Afrikaans.

She said that she usually does not feel any pain, except when she must do the chemotherapy treatments at the hospital.

Mayumbelo calmly noted that it is important to go to “a doctor early when you see symptoms”.

“The earlier they find cancer, the earlier they can treat it,” she said.

She is positive about her treatment and prays every day.

Mayumbelo’s mother appealed to the Namibian public to assist her daughter in reaching her dreams.

“I hope someone, anyone, can assist us with the constant doctor visits that financially drain us. I want my daughter to get well and one day fulfil her dreams,” Seister pleaded.

The control administrative officer at the Aus settlement office, Queen Koopman, informed New Era that the Lüderitz Town Council pledged to support the two with N$30 000 through their mayoral trust fund.

“Those are funds they are collecting to go to Cape Town. So far, with the assistance of family and friends, they have collected close to N$168 700, with only over N$41 000 outstanding,” Koopman said.

The total estimated cost for Mayumbelo and her mother’s trip to Cape Town, South Africa, is N$210 000.