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Mangaliso Thobejane after undergoing surgery at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital . Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
MANGALISO Thobejane’s life mysteriously changed after he got injured in 2016 at age four.
On 20 October 2016, an ordinary day took a devastating turn for young Mangaliso.
While playing with his brother inside their family home, their mum was busy with laundry.
A stray tennis ball led Mangaliso to a tragic accident behind a running washing machine.
Tshepiso Thobejane, his mum, told Daily Sun Mangaliso, now 12, was exposed to some wiring in the washing machine.
A metal component delivered a powerful electrical shock, severely burning the side of his body and leaving him unconscious.
“We rushed him to hospital, and he spent a month in the Intensive Care Unit,” said Tshepiso.
“After that, he was transferred to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital for specialised treatment. Due to the severity of the burn injury to the right side of his head, he underwent transplantation flap surgery, where skin from his scalp was used to close the wound. This life-saving procedure left him with a noticeable bald patch, a painful reminder of the trauma he endured that day.”
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Tshepiso said it’s been a difficult time.
“It’s been hard for him, especially at school where kids used to tease him. My son is a soccer player, and you can imagine how tough it was when he was laughed at while playing. He stopped playing soccer. But I’m grateful to the Smile Foundation, as my son’s tissues finally got expanded,” she said.
Through the Smile Foundation, Mangaliso underwent tissue expander surgery on Tuesday, 3 December, at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
The procedure stimulates hair regrowth and will help restore Mangaliso’s scalp.
Dr Vusani Sinoamadi, a plastic surgeon at the hospital, explained that this innovative plastic surgery technique involves placing a silicone balloon expander beneath the skin near the affected area.
“The balloon is gradually inflated over time, gently stretching the overlying skin and stimulating new tissue growth. This newly generated tissue can then be used to reconstruct the scarred area, resulting in a more natural and functional appearance,” Dr Sinoamadi said.
Smile Foundation CEO Tarri Parfitt said they would be assisting 15 kids with surgeries linked to facial abnormalities like cleft lip and cleft palate and also severe burns.
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