MDF Magazine Issue 72 December 2023

MDF KZN celebrates inspiring
stories of hope
By Wilna Botha
On Saturday, 9 September 2023, a large number of invited
affected members from Durban and surrounding, their families
and friends, and volunteers of KZN Branch gathered for
the branch’s 2023 AGM and Annual Awareness Day, held at
the Durban Jewish Centre. With September being Muscular
Dystrophy Awareness Month, the Awareness Day for the KZN
Branch is held on the same day as its AGM, so that many
affected members and guests can use this day to meet and
greet each other and to share their successes and challenges.
The theme for the event was “Your Support Means Hope” together
with “Get into the Green Scene”, and various banners
and posters highlighted the awareness of muscular dystrophy.
It was good to see many people dressed in the relevant awareness
colours.
paid tribute to her strong, passionate mother, who has supported
her throughout, motivating her to exercise and keep
herself as strong as possible. Zukiswa also shared her motto, “I
can and I hope”.
The meeting was once again a happy occasion, with a larger
attendance than ever before. This was evident from the 156
people who registered on arrival for the event. There is no
doubt that the Office Manager, Lovina Mahadaw and the
Branch Administrator, Debbie Goldstone had gone out of their
way to ensure that as many people as possible on their KZN
database were invited to attend. The number of attendees
from last year doubled this year, and the initiative taken by
the KZN Branch staff and Exco to hold the AGM and Awareness
Day on the same day is paying off. “The strategy used by
the branch was implemented last year and, hopefully, we
would like to see the consistent attendance numbers going
forward”, said Lovina.
After the formal business of the branch’s AGM, there were
various lucky draws, and gift bags and promotional items were
handed out to the affected members and to other young
guests.
The audience was captivated by the inspiring stories of hope
told by affected members and parents who volunteered to
speak. The highlight of the event was no doubt the stories told
by the young affected members, who are positive role models
for others.
For example, Nicole Padayachee, who is 21 years old and in
the final year of the LLB degree, told the audience that a secret
of her success is her motto, “I can, I will” and her affirmation,
“nothing stops me”. Nicole, who suffers from spinal muscular
atrophy (SMA), also told the audience that she raises
awareness of muscular dystrophy and in particular of SMA
wherever she can.
Twin sisters from Westville, Jayrashni (Pixie) and Kayrashni
(Molly), who both suffer from spinal muscular atrophy, gave a
moving account of how they constantly strive to keep themselves
healthy, strong and positive. They then shared their
dream of opening a shop that would sell chicken marinated in
their own special sauce. They currently have a business called
Hotshots, producing and selling chilli sauces and pickles, and
now seek a partner who would be interested in investing in a
new business and guiding them though the steps needed to
grow and expand their business.
Mrs Narbda Bhanjee, who is in her late 70s and who had lost
her daughter to muscular dystrophy just a month before,
spoke of the love and appreciation that is due to “the special
children that are entrusted to our care”. She appealed to parents
to give their special children all possible love, care and
support, so that there will be no regrets when they are no
longer around.
The vote of thanks was conducted by KZN Branch Exco member,
Prylash Singh, who thanked the following:
• Reutech Communications for promotional items and
gifts.
Zukiswa Biyela, a second-year BA degree student at UKZN,