logo
Joburg woman completes 35-day walk to Cape Town to raise awareness of rare disease her husband has

Joburg woman completes 35-day walk to Cape Town to raise awareness of rare disease her husband has

TimesLIVE06-06-2025
Nicole Liedemann Telukram, a 37-year-old woman from Johannesburg, has completed her 35-day journey walking from Joburg to Cape Town.
Her mission was to raise funds and awareness about her husband's rare disease, Adiposis Dolorosa, also known as Dercum's disease.
Telukram began her journey on April 30 and arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday, beating her initial prediction of 45 days.
She was accompanied by her friend Paballo Mahoa, who drove behind her with her dog to ensure her safety. Telukram documented her journey on TikTok, sharing regular updates with her followers.
'The journey has been amazing,' she told TimesLIVE. 'Everything has gone in accordance with God's plan. I'm grateful. It has been an emotional journey, but I made it. I'm grateful.'
Telukram experienced challenges along the way, including developing blisters and suffering from hamstring injuries. She recalled a particularly challenging section near Laingsburg, where a 7km incline left her feeling drained and pulling her hamstring.
'The hill got longer and higher, but I pushed through and after getting over it I pulled my hamstring. My body was refusing. What everyone did not see behind the scenes was that I broke down a couple of times. Pabi kept telling me to listen to my body and, as stubborn as I am, I had to take her advice. I rested for a day or two to recover.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Can foreign nationals use public healthcare services in South Africa?
Can foreign nationals use public healthcare services in South Africa?

The Citizen

timea day ago

  • The Citizen

Can foreign nationals use public healthcare services in South Africa?

THE question of who has the right to access public healthcare services in South Africa, specifically whether foreign nationals can use them, has been raised by the actions of some groups that physically prevented foreign nationals from accessing healthcare facilities across the country. Incidents of foreign nationals being prevented from accessing public healthcare facilities by these groups have been reported from across the country, and on Tuesday the Addington Hospital Gateway Clinic was one such site where the March and March movement carried out its campaign of turning away foreign nationals from the facility. Also read: 'South Africans first': March and March blocks access to Addington Clinic, checks IDs at gate Different organisations and institutions, including non-government bodies, have throughout the years indicated that, according to the South African Constitution, everyone has the right to have access to public healthcare services. Chapter 2: Bill of Rights, Section 27 of the Constitution reads: (1) Everyone has the right to have access to — (a) health care services, including reproductive health care; (3) No one may be refused emergency medical treatment. In its educational booklet on migration and non-nationals, the South African Human Rights Commission states that: 'Access to public health care facilities is another challenge that non-nationals encounter, mainly due to a lack of awareness on the part of some frontline health care staff. Section 27 of the Constitution entitles everyone to access basic health care services and no one may be denied emergency medical treatment. This means even undocumented migrants may not be refused emergency medical treatment on the basis of their lack of documentation; but they may be held liable to pay fees for any other health services. The National Health Act, 61 of 2003 provides that children below the age of six and pregnant or lactating women can access free health care services, irrespective of their documentation status or nationality. The right to health care can, however, be limited for everyone, depending on the availability of resources.' For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Shaping minds: how the TikTok generation is revolutionising mental health dialogue
Shaping minds: how the TikTok generation is revolutionising mental health dialogue

IOL News

time3 days ago

  • IOL News

Shaping minds: how the TikTok generation is revolutionising mental health dialogue

TikTok's Digital Well-being Summit, held on June 26 in Johannesburg, where health professionals, creators, and policymakers came together to discuss how short-form content can be used not just to entertain but to empower. Image: Vuyile Madwantsi We live online. From waking up and checking our phones to falling asleep to blue-lit screens, we're tethered to the digital world in ways that previous generations could never have imagined. But what if our hyperconnectivity came with a shift in how we talk to each other, especially about our mental health? What if asking 'How are you really feeling?' became as normal as 'How was your day?' This was the heart of the conversation at TikTok's Digital Well-being Summit, held on June 26 in Johannesburg, where health professionals, creators, and policymakers came together to discuss how short-form content can be used not just to entertain but to empower. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Beyond hashtags, making mental health mainstream The idea is simple but powerful: promote kindness, imagine if talking about anxiety, burnout, or depression became dinner table conversations or classroom discussions, the same way we chat about traffic, soccer scores or school tests. According to health economists, untreated mental health conditions cost South Africa an estimated R161 billion per year in lost productivity. The ripple effects are undeniable, not only for individuals but for families, workplaces, and the broader economy. So, shifting how we communicate, making kindness and emotional check-ins as routine as daily greetings, could be more than just feel-good advice. It's a public health strategy. And TikTok wants to be part of that solution. The idea is simple but powerful: promote kindness. Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok's Director of Public Policy & Government Relations for Sub-Saharan Africa Image: supplied TikTok's mental health mission: more than dance challenges 'You can't bring joy to people if they don't feel safe,' said Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok's director of public policy & government relations for Sub-Saharan Africa. That's why they are working with credible partners, like the World Health Organisation, to connect users with verified, evidence-based mental health resources. When you search for terms like anxiety, PTSD or depression, the platform now directs you to mental health support hubs or videos by qualified doctors who are also creators. One recent initiative, a partnership with WHO and content creators, saw the top 20 videos reach over 750 million viewers globally. That's the power of a short, emotionally resonant 60-second video. Why it works: When creators speak, people listen. Creators like Dr Siya, a TikTok-famous medical educator, are using the platform to break down complex health concepts into digestible, relatable, and often funny content. 'People don't come to TikTok for lectures. "They come to be entertained. So if I can educate while I entertain, they're more likely to retain the information.' It's proof that entertainment and education can co-exist and even thrive in the same feed. Filtering filth But what about when the fun stops and trolling starts? Content creators are often on the frontlines of internet abuse. The platform offers tools for maintaining a safe space, such as filtering harmful comments, blocking trolls, and disabling comments altogether. Screentime management And for parents worried about screen time? TikTok now automatically sets a 40-minute limit for teen accounts. Parental safety features Family Pairing features that let guardians monitor content and set controls. Mgwili-Sibanda shared a relatable parenting tip: 'During school terms, my kids don't get their phones during the week. It's not punishment. It's balance. And they know that once screen time is over, it's over.' If anything became clear at the summit, it's this: mental well-being is a shared responsibility. From parents to teachers, platforms to policymakers, everyone has a role to play in creating safer, more supportive environments, both online and offline. And it starts with something small: choosing and promoting kindness in our digital spaces. In a hyperconnected world where words can go viral in seconds, the power of a kind comment, or the damage of a cruel one can be enormous. Creators at the summit spoke openly about the emotional toll of making content while facing toxic feedback. 'When you start getting hate, it means you're reaching beyond friends and family,' one TikTok creator shared. 'But it still hurts.' TikTok offers filtering tools, comment controls, and community guidelines to help manage this, but what's equally important is a culture shift. Kindness should be the default, not the exception. Instead of defaulting to 'How was your day?', try 'What made you smile today?' or Is there anything on your mind you want to talk about?' "It's not about demonising screens, it's about setting boundaries." But it doesn't stop there. Schools, caregivers, civil society, and the media all have a role to play. Because platforms alone can't fix mental health. People can. The digital world isn't going anywhere. But we can shape it to be kinder, more thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent, one video, one comment, one check-in at a time. As TikTok continues its commitment to advancing mental health support, it announced that three Sub-Saharan African organisations have been awarded support from its expanded Mental Health Education Fund. As TikTok continues its commitment to advancing mental health support, it announced that three Sub-Saharan African organisations have been awarded support from its expanded Mental Health Education Fund. Image: supplied Groups like the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative and Mental360 in Kenya aim to provide regionally relevant, evidence-based mental health content, further emphasising the urgency of tackling mental health issues in a significant way. Moreover, TikTok introduced a cohort of verified Mental Health Ambassadors, strategically selected to amplify mental health education and destigmatise conversations in the digital realm. This inaugural group includes notable figures, such as Dr Siya and Dr Claire Kinuthia, who are ready to lend their voices to an important cause. In a digital world that shows no signs of waning, the way we shape our interactions can dictate the essence of our shared spaces. As Mgwili-Sibanda reminds us, 'safety is a shared responsibility,' and with it, mental well-being becomes a collaborative effort, one that can cultivate solace and understanding in our everyday lives.

Matcha: The Japanese tea, taking over the world and Mzansi
Matcha: The Japanese tea, taking over the world and Mzansi

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Matcha: The Japanese tea, taking over the world and Mzansi

Many drink matcha for its rich grass-like taste, but others are drawn to the drink's nutritional properties. The word matcha means 'ground tea' in Japanese and comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte. Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafés worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea. Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and 'wellness' influencers: What is matcha? The word matcha means 'ground tea' in Japanese and comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte. Green tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early ninth century, and was first used for medicinal purposes Matcha came much later, in the 16th century, Kyoto part of the tea ceremony tradition was developed by tea master Sen no Rikyu. Today, there are different grades of matcha quality, from 'ceremonial' to 'culinary' types used in baking. How is it produced? Matcha is made from leaves called 'tencha', which are grown in the shade in the final weeks before their harvest to concentrate the flavour, colour, and nutrients. This 'requires the construction of a complex structure with poles and a roof to filter the light', explained Masahiro Okutomi, a tea producer in Sayama, northwest of Tokyo. Tencha leaves, rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, are hand-picked and deveined, then steamed, dried, and ground between two stone mills to produce an ultra-fine powder. It can take up to an hour to produce just 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of matcha, making the powder twice as expensive as standard green tea leaves. What are its benefits? Many drink matcha for its rich grass-like taste, but others are drawn to the drink's nutritional properties. It is rich in antioxidants and can aid concentration because of its caffeine content: one cup contains, on average, 48 milligrams, slightly less than a drip coffee but nearly twice as much as a standardly brewed green tea. 'Matcha is often seen as being good for your health,' said Shigehito Nishikida, manager of Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo. 'But people are also attracted to the Japanese culture around tea: the ritual, the time taken, the aesthetics,' he said. ALSO READ: WATCH: The Makhathinis hit the mark! Scoop and Zulu on the Red carpet Why is it so popular? Japan produced 4 176 tonnes of matcha in 2023, a huge increase from the 1 430 tonnes in 2012. More than half of the powder is exported, according to the agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Millions of videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional 'chasen' bamboo whisk.' I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on social media to do so,' Stevie Youssef, a 31-year-old marketing professional, told AFP at a matcha bar in Los Angeles. Matcha can also be used in cooking, extending its appeal to others aside from tea lovers.'Some customers simply enjoy drinking it, others like preparing it themselves, and of course, many buy it as a gift. Japanese matcha is always appreciated,' said Jugetsudo's Nishikida.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store