Samukelisiwe Magoso rises against all odds, as she earns her Master’s in Sports Science (Biokinetics) from UKZN.
Image: Sethu Dlamini
In a remarkable tale of resilience and courage, Samukelisiwe Magoso has defied the odds to graduate with a master’s degree in Sports Science (Biokinetics) despite facing life-altering challenges. Hailing from the tranquil hills of Makholweni in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), her early experiences of witnessing the silent struggles of those living with injuries — particularly lower back pain (LBP) — set the stage for a life dedicated to improving health in underserved communities.
Magoso’s journey took a tragic turn during her honours year when mild back discomfort escalated into a debilitating condition. By mid-2023, as she pursued her master’s, the pain became excruciating, culminating in a hospitalisation that revealed a massive aneurysmal bone tumour eroding her T4 vertebra and compressing her spinal cord.
The diagnosis of paralysis was devastating. As her body began to fail, affecting her lungs, kidneys, and heart, her doctors expressed uncertainty about her ability to regain mobility. Yet, Magoso remained unyielding.
On March 12, 2024, she underwent a complex nine-hour surgery, where surgeons removed the tumour and reconstructed her spine with titanium rods and bone grafts. The road to recovery was fraught with challenges, including severe pneumonia and the harsh reality of paralysis. However, with the unwavering support of her family, dedicated medical teams, and her unbreakable spirit, she began the difficult journey back to mobility.
Starting with the simplest movements — turning in bed, sitting up, transferring to a wheelchair — Magoso used her biokinetics knowledge and experience working with children with disabilities to design her own rehabilitation path. Her determination bore fruit as, against all odds, she took her first steps towards recovery.
Though Magoso now lives with chronic pain and certain limitations, her resilience shines as a beacon of hope. Her master’s thesis, titled ‘Profile, Classification and Care of Lower Back Pain among Rural Communities in a Public Health Facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’, is pioneering research conducted in a deeply rural setting. It reveals that LBP is not only prevalent among individuals aged 50 to 59, particularly women involved in manual labour, but also frequently misunderstood and inadequately treated. Many patients endure long-term suffering without a proper diagnosis, highlighting the critical need for improved healthcare access and education in these communities.
Magoso’s research goes beyond mere documentation; it empowers those living with chronic pain and underscores the necessity for early interventions, ergonomic education, and multidisciplinary approaches to treatment. Her work lays vital groundwork for future healthcare advancements in underprivileged areas.
Cemented in her achievements is not only academic success, but also a personal victory over adversity. Today, Magoso plays a vital role as a facilitator and co-ordinator at the Skills Development Institute for Physical Education and serves as the Senior Sport Scientist Manager in the Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal. She dreams of one day earning the title of “Doctor”, a goal that seems increasingly inevitable given her relentless spirit.
Grounded in faith and inspired by her family, Magoso shares a powerful message: “Strength is not the absence of struggle, but the courage to rise, again and again, no matter how many times life tries to bring you down.” Her story not only inspires those facing similar challenges but also champions the need for acknowledgment and treatment of chronic health conditions in rural South Africa.
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