Princess Mchelewebukhosi yesterday shared a moving testimony of resilience and hope after successfully overcoming cancer, a journey she described as both challenging and life-changing.
The princess revealed that she was diagnosed with a tumour in her stomach, a condition that required intensive medical treatment and close care.
Speaking during the launch of the Eswatini Childhood Cancer Foundation, Princess Mchelewebukhosi expressed deep gratitude for the support she received throughout her treatment journey, crediting her survival to divine intervention, family support and the care she received under the guidance of Their Majesties.
“I am grateful to God for seeing me through such a difficult time,” she said, adding that the unwavering support from Their Majesties ensured that she received the best possible care during her illness.
The princess paid special tribute to her mother, Inkhosikati LaNkambule, whom she described as her pillar of strength throughout her battle with cancer. She noted that her mother’s love, encouragement and constant presence played a significant role in helping her remain strong during treatment and recovery.
Princess Mchelewebukhosi further welcomed the establishment of the foundation, describing it as a timely and vital initiative that would provide hope and assistance to children and families facing similar health challenges.
She emphasised that cancer not only affects the patient but also places emotional and financial strain on families, highlighting the importance of support structures such as the newly-launched foundation.
Meanwhile, another cancer survivor, Awande Kunene, encouraged parents and caregivers to provide emotional support to all children within the family when one child is battling a serious illness, highlighting the lasting impact family dynamics can have on recovery and wellbeing.
She revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of three but is now 25 years old and cancer-free. She described her journey as one that not only involved medical treatment but also emotional and family challenges that shaped her growth.
‘Launch of Foundation a Major Milestone’
The country has taken a significant step in strengthening its response to childhood cancer following the official launch of the Eswatini Childhood Cancer Foundation.
The foundation’s Patron, Inkhosikati LaNkambule, represented by Princess Buhlebetive, described the launch as a historic milestone and a national commitment to safeguarding the lives and futures of children battling cancer.
Princess Buhlebetive emphasised that the establishment of the foundation symbolises a journey of hope, compassion and shared responsibility among all citizens.
“This occasion is not merely the establishment of an institution, but the inauguration of a national commitment grounded in purposeful action,” she said.
She noted that childhood cancer remains a growing global public health concern, with an estimated 400 000 children and adolescents diagnosed worldwide each year. While survival rates exceed 80 per cent in high-income countries due to advanced healthcare systems and early diagnosis, survival rates in low and middle-income countries, including many in Africa, remain below 30 per cent. These disparities are largely attributed to delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialised treatment and insufficient healthcare resources.
Princess Buhlebetive highlighted that the country faces similar challenges.
Since 2016, more than 400 children in the country have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer, with many cases identified at advanced stages.
She noted that late diagnosis is often linked to limited public awareness, delayed referral pathways and constraints within healthcare and social support systems.
“The loss is not only of young lives but of dreams, potential and future leaders of this nation,” she said, stressing that the foundation represents a firm national declaration to change this reality.
Foundation’s Threefold Mission
The newly-established foundation will focus on a threefold mission:
1. Raising Awareness and Promoting Early Detection
Childhood cancers often present with subtle symptoms, making community awareness crucial. Educating parents, teachers and frontline healthcare workers is expected to improve early recognition and referral, significantly increasing survival chances.
2. Improving Access to Quality and Timely Treatment
The foundation aims to mobilise resources, strengthen partnerships locally and internationally, build clinical capacity and ensure consistent availability of essential medicines, diagnostic tools and supportive services within the country’s healthcare system.
3. Survivorship and Family Support
The foundation recognises that care does not end after treatment. Survivors often require long-term follow-up care to manage potential complications and reintegrate into society and education. Families and caregivers also require psychosocial and economic support throughout the treatment journey.
Princess Buhlebetive stressed that childhood cancer is largely curable when diagnosed early and treated appropriately. She called for collective national responsibility, urging citizens, organisations and stakeholders to actively support the foundation’s mission.
