Started as a Pimple at Age 5 — Now a Limpopo Man Is Begging for Help

For nearly two decades, Tshwarelo Makopo has lived with a condition that has shaped almost every aspect of his life — from how he sees himself to how the world sees him. The 24-year-old man from Khoreng Village in Zebediela, Limpopo, is now pleading for urgent medical assistance after suffering from a massive facial keloid that began when he was still a young child.

Tshwarelo’s painful journey started when he was just five years old and attending primary school. What initially appeared to be a harmless pimple on the side of his face slowly transformed into an aggressive growth of scar tissue. Over the years, the keloid continued to expand, becoming increasingly prominent and painful, and turning into a daily physical and emotional burden.

“At first, we thought it was nothing serious,” Tshwarelo recalled. “It looked like a small pimple. As time went on, it started growing with me. I was too young to understand what was happening, and no one could explain why it wouldn’t stop.”

Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that form after skin injuries, and while they are non-cancerous, they can be extremely difficult to treat. In Tshwarelo’s case, the keloid grew uncontrollably, altering the appearance of his face and deeply affecting his quality of life.

As the years passed, the condition became more than just a medical issue. Tshwarelo says he endured relentless teasing, mockery and social isolation, particularly during his school years. Simple daily activities such as walking in public spaces or interacting with peers became emotionally exhausting.

“People would stare, laugh or ask hurtful questions,” he said. “Some were afraid of me. Others made jokes. Over time, it destroyed my confidence. I stopped enjoying life the way other young people do.”

Despite the emotional toll, Tshwarelo and his family never stopped searching for medical help. They turned to the public healthcare system, hoping for a solution. His first stop was Magatle Hospital, where doctors assessed his condition before referring him to Pietersburg Hospital. From there, he was sent to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, a major referral centre, in the hope that specialists could assist.

At Dr George Mukhari Hospital, Tshwarelo was admitted for nearly five weeks. The family believed that surgery was finally within reach. However, the long-awaited procedure never happened.

“The doctors told me the operation was risky,” Tshwarelo explained. “They said there could be severe bleeding and that the keloid might come back even bigger. After that, everything stopped. I was discharged without surgery.”

His last attempt to seek treatment through the public health system was in 2016. After years of referrals, waiting lists and unanswered questions, the family lost hope that help would come.

Tshwarelo’s mother, Mme Makopo, said watching her son suffer has been one of the most painful experiences of her life. “As a mother, you feel helpless,” she said. “You want to protect your child, but there was nothing I could do. We went from hospital to hospital, but every door seemed to close.”

She added that the emotional impact on the family has been overwhelming. “People judge without understanding. They don’t see the pain he lives with every day.”

Recently, Tshwarelo’s story gained renewed attention after he was visited by Dr Ephraim Kgoete from the Khayalami Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping patients who require specialised medical and surgical care. After assessing Tshwarelo’s condition, Dr Kgoete described the situation as urgent and heartbreaking.

“This is not just a medical issue,” Dr Kgoete said. “The consequences are multi-dimensional. Tshwarelo has suffered years of stigma, discrimination and psychological trauma. His mother has also carried the emotional weight of watching her child endure this for most of his life.”

The Khayalami Foundation has since launched a public donation drive to raise funds for Tshwarelo’s surgery and related medical care. The organisation has also formally written to the Limpopo Department of Health, appealing for intervention and assistance in facilitating specialised treatment.

According to Dr Kgoete, while keloid surgery can be complex, advances in medical care mean that successful treatment is possible when handled by the right specialists. “With proper planning and post-operative care, there is hope for a better outcome,” he said.

As of the time of publication, the Limpopo Department of Health had not yet responded to the foundation’s appeal.

For Tshwarelo, the hope of finally receiving treatment has brought a renewed sense of optimism, even as uncertainty remains. “All I want is a chance to live a normal life,” he said. “I want to walk freely without people staring. I want to feel confident again.”

His family is now appealing to compassionate individuals, medical professionals, private donors and organisations to come forward and help change his life. After nearly 20 years of pain, stigma and unanswered prayers, they believe that one act of kindness could finally bring healing.

For Tshwarelo Makopo, the future remains uncertain — but for the first time in years, hope is no longer out of reach.