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.

30/03/2026

[WATCH] In Orange Farm, gaining weight is starting young — and it’s not just about personal choice.

16-year-old Precious Myeni says unhealthy eating became normal when she was still a child. Today, she weighs 95kg. Snacks, sugary drinks and fried food are part of her daily routine at school and at home.

Community health worker Mapule Mbhele from Barney Molokoane Clinic says this is something they see often. Many children grow up eating processed foods, with little exercise and limited access to healthier options.

“I walk to school — that is the only activity I do,” Precious says.

Doctors warn that childhood obesity doesn’t just stay in childhood. Dr Reyna Daya says it increases the risk of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure much earlier in life.

But in communities like Orange Farm, it’s not that simple. Dietitian Azi Booi says families often choose food that is affordable and filling, even if it lacks nutrients.

There’s also another challenge: unsafe spaces. Many children don’t have safe places to play or exercise.

For families like Precious’, change is not easy — but they are trying.

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✍️ 🎥 Via Lerato Kodisang

27/03/2026

[WATCH] Small-scale farmers in Tsetse village, outside Mahikeng, say they’re worried they’ll be left behind as the country rolls out foot-and-mouth disease vaccines.

While they wait, some are trying to protect their cattle using home remedies.

“As poor small farmers, we use Dettol as a dipping method regularly,” says Thapelo Seadimo, who farms with 14 cows.

“But we really need the vaccine. The possibility of losing our cattle also affects our mental health.”

The disease is already taking a toll.

Johannes Tsotetsi says four of his 23 cows are infected and he can’t sell any livestock because of outbreak restrictions.

“The disease has taken an emotional and financial toll,” he says.

In Tsetse, cattle graze together, making it easier for the virus to spread.

South Africa has faced repeated outbreaks since 2021, and North West is among the hardest hit, with 179 cases reported by mid-March.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says more than 53,000 animals have already been vaccinated and that the rollout will expand to smaller villages.

But farmers like Tsotetsi aren’t convinced help will reach them in time.

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✍️ Via Bakang Bakiano Ditibane

26/03/2026

[WATCH] Broken floors. Pit toilets. No electricity.

This is what learners face at schools near King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape.

At Lukhozi High School in Zihlahleni village, about 280 learners share just five usable classrooms. The mud-brick buildings have broken windows and damaged floors.

There are only two pit toilets for boys and two for girls. Teachers have none.

School governing body chairperson Mnoneleli Mazibukwana says learners study in cold classrooms and start their mornings by sweeping animal dung from the school grounds.

About 32km away in Zwelitsha, Nonceba Secondary School has had no electricity since September 2025. Learners returned to dark classrooms, with broken windows, damaged ceilings and holes in the floors.

School communities say these conditions affect health, safety and dignity, making it harder to teach and learn.

Advocacy organisation Equal Education says the schools do not meet government norms and standards for infrastructure.

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✍️ Via Chris Gilili

26/03/2026

[WATCH] Imagine starting your school day by sweeping animal dung.

At Lukhozi High School in Zihlahleni village near King William’s Town, learners study in mud-brick classrooms with broken windows and damaged floors.

About 280 learners share just five classrooms.

There are only two pit toilets for boys and two for girls. Teachers have none.

Learners say they sweep animal dung from the school grounds before class.

In nearby Zwelitsha, Nonceba Secondary School has had no electricity since September 2025.

Learners returned this year to dark classrooms, with broken windows, damaged ceilings and holes in the floors.

School communities say these conditions are affecting health, safety and dignity.

Advocacy organisation says the schools do not meet government norms and standards for infrastructure.

🔗 Full story at the link in bio
✍️ Chris Gilili

25/03/2026

[WATCH] No water from the taps, so people are going into the bush to find it.

In villages across Vhembe District, Limpopo, residents say they now share water with cattle and goats.

In Malamulele, Defney Chauke walks about 3km every day to collect water for drinking, cooking and washing.

“Our taps have been dry for years,” she says.

A doctor warns this water may be contaminated with bacteria from animal waste. Even boiling does not remove all risks.

This can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration, especially for children and the elderly.

The Vhembe District Municipality says drought, ageing infrastructure, illegal connections and vandalism are to blame. It says water tankers and repairs are in place.

But residents say they are not receiving consistent support.

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✍️ Via Maandamahulu Muanalo Bele

: TB remains the deadliest infectious disease in South Africa.In 2023 alone, 56 000 people died from TB.But experts say...
24/03/2026

: TB remains the deadliest infectious disease in South Africa.

In 2023 alone, 56 000 people died from TB.

But experts say it’s not just the disease, it’s the stigma around it.

Fear of being judged or isolated keeps many people from testing, starting treatment early or finishing it.

Stigma can take many forms, including gossip, teasing and rejection and it can push people away from care.

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) says fear of infection is one of the main reasons people stigmatise those with TB.

The impact is serious. Some people avoid clinics. Others stop treatment.

As South Africa marks World TB Day, health officials are urging people to share accurate information and support those affected.

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23/03/2026

[WATCH] A Hammanskraal supermarket has reopened despite a ban for food safety violations.

Frontline Hyper Supermarket was shut down in December 2025 after a whistleblower exposed unsafe food practices.

But it is now operating again.

“I was tired of hearing complaints about stomach cramps, diarrhoea and food poisoning from people in my community who were buying from us,” the whistleblower says. “I needed to clear my conscience.”

When Health-e News visited last week, we found rotten vegetables, expired items on special, and pests including flies, cockroaches and birds inside the store.

The City of Tshwane | Official (Page) says the prohibition order was never lifted, meaning the store is not allowed to operate.

Dietician Dr John Ndwambe warns that ignoring expiry dates can lead to serious health risks, including food poisoning and exposure to harmful toxins.

The municipality is urging people to report food outlets that do not follow safety rules.

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✍️ Via Keletso Mkhwanazi

23/03/2026

[WATCH] A Hammanskraal supermarket has reopened despite a ban and expired food is still on the shelves.

Frontline Hyper Supermarket was shut down in December after a whistleblower exposed unsafe food practices.

But when Health-e News visited last week, we still found rotten food, expired items on sale, and pests inside the store.

The says the prohibition order was never lifted meaning the shop should not be operating.

“I was told to change expiry dates,” the whistleblower says.

Residents say they trusted the store and did not always check labels.

Expired food can cause serious illness. The municipality is urging people to report non-compliant shops.

🔗 Full story in bio
✍️

20/03/2026

[WATCH] STIs are rising in South Africa and low condom use is a big part of the problem.

Dr Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha, an epidemiologist from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, warns that STIs can increase the risk of HIV and lead to long-term complications like infertility.

A 2021-2024 report tracking STI infections from selected clinics in the country showed that only 3% of people used condoms the last time they had s*x.

We asked some young people if they use condoms.

Find out more in the comments via Faith Mutizira🔗

20/03/2026

[WATCH] STIs are rising in South Africa and low condom use is a big part of the problem.

Dr Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha, an epidemiologist from the , warns that STIs can increase the risk of HIV and lead to long-term complications like infertility.

A 2021-2024 report tracking STI infections from selected clinics in the country showed that only 3% of people used condoms the last time they had s*x.

Find out more at the link in bio via Faith Mutizira.

19/03/2026

[WATCH] Right across from Noor Ul Ilm School in South Beach, Durban, residents say drug use has become a daily reality.

People gather outside the school and openly inject substances. Used syringes are left on the pavement.

Residents have reported the issue for years, but say little has changed. The Community Policing Forum admits the problem is widespread and beyond their capacity.

Now, the community is calling for urgent action to remove drug activity from spaces where children learn and live.

Find out more in the comments via Phumzile Mkhungo 🔗

19/03/2026

[WATCH] Right across from Noor Ul Ilm School, in South Beach, Durban, people inject substances in the open and leave used syringes on the ground.

Consultant physician Dr Azharuddin Topia warns that needles discarded in public spaces pose a danger, especially to children who might pick them up and injure themselves.

The issue has been reported for years but little has changed. The Community Policing Forum admits the problem is widespread and beyond their capacity.

Now, the community is calling for urgent action to remove drug activity from spaces where children learn and live.

Find out more at the link in bio via .phumzile188🔗

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Health-e News is South Africa's only independent health news agency, supplying the country with news from cities and villages via a network of citizen journalists and experienced, award-winning TV and print journalists.