A man who has lived with elephantiasis for 21 years, with a swollen right leg, wishes he could dance again as he shares his experience.
Mcebo has lived with elephantiasis for 21 years. (Photo: Daily Sun)
While speaking in an interview, a 35-year-old man identified as Mcebo Mthembu from Nquthu in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, who is living with elephantiasis, shared his experience of living with the condition for 21 years.
The man who revealed that he first noticed a sore on his right leg when he was in grade 8 in 1996 said: "A small sore developed on my foot and I ignored it. But it didn’t heal and my right leg started swelling.
"Despite seeking medical help and even consulting traditional healers over the years, the swelling persisted."
Some traditional healers even told him that he was bewitched. One gave him a herb which stopped the pain, although the swelling remained. Mthembu said his only wish now is to be able to dance to his favourite Kwaito songs, something he hasn't done for years.
According to experts, a parasite carried by mosquitoes causes elephantiasis.