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What is it like to be a man living with diabetes in South Africa? June is Men's Health Month and I'm proud to present this summary of diabetic SA men.
Living with diabetes is something that men need to be careful about… especially if you are exposed to stigma and misinformation about impotence and diabetes. Here, diabetic South Africans ask for the best advice to other men with diabetes, and stimulating South African men.
Celebrate our SA men with diabetes. Live your best life in a chronic condition.
Earl Prince Ru
Earl is 38 years old and has been living with diabetes since September 2012 (age 12).
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“As men, I think we often find ourselves weak in asking for help, but it takes even more courage to show vulnerability and seek support of any kind.
I challenge all men today to be more transparent about their struggles. Particularly related to diabetes management, reproductive, sexual health, and the effects it personally has.
Support exists in the form of professionals, peer groups, or simply talks to fellow community members. Your numbers are by no means perfect. Work on something better than yesterday. ”
Jethro Michelle Morrison
Jethro is 41 years old and has lived with diabetes for almost 20 years and 19 years!
His advice for other men with diabetes:
1. I own your number
Know your time in range/HBA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. I track them regularly, but not obsessive. Treat it like managing your business, and data helps you make powerful decisions.
2. Beware of stress
Stress affects blood sugar and health. Whether it's faith, exercise, music or hobby, find your outlet. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
3. Don't let diabetes steal your confidence
Diabetes is what you manage – it's not your identity. You can still be strong, successful and fully capable.
Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma
The 29-year-old Siyabonga has lived with type 1 diabetes for 17 years, and initially kept it a secret for 12 years due to her feelings of embarrassment and difficulty finding acceptance.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“My advice to other men who live with diabetes is not to live embarrassingly with diabetes due to the stigma surrounding it. This will have a positive impact on your diabetes care and management.
Let's break the cycle of men not opening up and dying inside because of the way society perceives us as humans. We are people with emotions and we should accept it.
Check out Siyabonga's Living With Diabetes series on YouTube. He openly discusses his journey and the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes. Using his platform, he defends others living with diabetes, especially to avoid similar experiences. ”
Paul Edmunds
Paul is a shy 55-year-old who has lived with diabetes for 40 years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“I wasn't good at giving advice, especially when I was younger, and I was forced to offer some.
Mohamed Adam Kariel
Adam is 33 years old and has lived with Type 1 diabetes for almost six years since July 2019.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“There's a lot to incorporate at first, but it takes a day at a time. It requires a lifestyle change. In my case, I used it as an opportunity to make it healthier and more active.
Running is the best way to do it, and at first it struggled, now I run a half marathon with ease, preparing for my first marathon in August. My overall advice is to find an opportunity and make it your purpose. ”
Gavin Van Wyke
Gavin is 40 years old and has lived with diabetes for 37 years, contrary to his (at the time) diagnosis.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“As men living with diabetes, we face not only physical complications, but also mental complications.
You never feel alone. Build a support team with your diabetic loved ones and others.
We can help and learn from each other.
Without the challenge, complications would not be difficult, but perseverance was fruit. In 1988 they told my parents I wasn't alive to see 13! And now I'm 40 years old. It was important to have a great support system. ”
For more information about Gavin's journey, navigate the complications here.
Victor Mokugatrain
Victor is 48 years old and has lived with diabetes for seven years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“A lot of people have so many misconceptions about us, men with diabetes. Some of them include not being able to respond to certain natural calls like sex, etc., and I think it's all in the mind.
Click here to learn more about managing erectile dysfunction.
Riaan Naudé
Rian is 51 years old and has been living with diabetes since 2001.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“My advice to fellow diabetic men is not to be afraid to talk about your battle with mental health.
It won't make you a lesser man.
Seek professional advice on mental health struggles. Support each other as mentally healthy and diabetic men. Recognize and destroy the stigma around men's mental health. ”
Sifiso Parai
Sifiso is 21 years old and has lived with diabetes for 18 years. He encourages men to prioritize both physical and emotional well-being.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“For all men who live with diabetes,
I've been on this path for 18 years and if there's one thing I've learned, diabetes doesn't define you, but the way you manage it shapes the quality of your life. This journey wasn't always easy, but it made me stronger, more disciplined, and deeply aware of my body and health.
Here's my advice for you:
Your health will prioritize your life as dependent on it. Monitor your sugar levels, take your medication, and don't ignore any signs your body has on you. Don't silence you by pride. Be sure to speak up, get regular health checks, and don't be afraid to seek help or support. Your strength lies in your honesty. Discipline is your best friend. Stay consistent, regardless of what you eat, when you want to rest, or how much you want to exercise. Small daily decisions are added. Mental health issues. Living with diabetes can be emotionally exhausted. Talk to someone, diary, pray, meditate, whatever works for you. A strong mind helps maintain a strong body. You are not alone. Many of us walk this path. Share your story, encourage others, and stay connected. It's not just about living with diabetes, it's about thriving nonetheless. Never forget that keep pushing, fighting and managing this state every day is the day you win.
With strength and solidarity,
A man who has been there for 18 years and is still strong. ”
Stephen Lotz
Stephen is 33 years old and has been living with diabetes since 2008.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
Always live your life to the fullest. Don't let you down to diabetes.
Sharque Nel
Schark is 60 years old and has lived with type 1 diabetes for 27 years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“I think it will help a lot if you can get away from stress. Personally, I think this is one of the biggest issues with diabetes, but it's very difficult.
I have neuropathy in my hands and feet, and since my feet are more serious, I also have concerns about cutting my legs with something, which takes time for me to heal. I had something like that on my lower limbs, so it took me 2-3 months too long. So the struggle is real. ”
Jaco Cronje
Jaco is 46 years old and has been living with diabetes since 2006.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“Don't let your diabetes stop trying to seem out of reach. Everyday ups and downs can be difficult, but they build the strength, resilience and a kind of fearlessness to prepare you for everything in life.”
Naeem Sonpra
Naeem was 50 years old and diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 16 and has been living in this condition since 1991.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“Living with diabetes is a challenge, but it should not prevent you from doing what you are passionate about.
On days when it feels difficult, remember that you are not alone. Seek your loved ones and the diabetic community for advice and inspiration.
You will be amazed at how a little motivation from your fellow diabetic warriors can help you reach every goal you have set. ”
Thabo Batshe
Thabo is 28 years old and has lived with type 1 diabetes for seven years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“Living with type 1 diabetes taught me that openness is strength, not weakness. Talking about it makes treatment easier and protects my mental health. As a man, we are often told to stay silent, but diabetes doesn't really care about masculinity.
Nicholas Caracandas
Nick is 38 years old and has lived with type 1 diabetes for 30 years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“Don't treat it like a state you manage, treat it like a skill you learn.
Most men wait for things to go wrong before they decide to take their health seriously. But diabetes isn't waiting.
It's not just blood sugar. It's about your way of thinking, your discipline, and the standards you live in. You don't need to feel broken and settle for an average or living life.
You can build strength, resilience and true confidence, not just for the way you show up for yourself every day, but for the way you show up for yourself.
Created a diabetic athletics to prove that they can intentionally train, eat, live and thrive. So my advice? Please raise the standard. Learn skills. Master your body.
Live Athletics – Not diabetes.
Sari Hendrix
Sari is 58 years old and has lived with diabetes for 44 years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“My advice to other male diabetics is to seek medical or peer support if you are suffering from a diabetes-related condition, as it really helps.”
Koketso Caven Monageng
Caven is 37 years old and has been living with type 1 diabetes since December 2020.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“I'll exercise and take my medication.”
Charle Lombard
Charle is 23 years old and has lived with diabetes for just over two years since April 2023.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“We always track what you eat and know what you are best and worst.
Diabetes always offers learning, whether it's what you eat or the type of exercise you're doing.
Talk to them when you are experiencing lows and highs, especially when you are attending events. Accept your diabetes and remember that you are not alone! ”
Patrick Moster
Patrick has lived with diabetes for 14 years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
Don't give up, it's okay to ask for help as a man. This isn't easy, but it gets better.
Keegan Moster
Keegan was diagnosed eight years later by his twin siblings and has lived with diabetes for six years.
His advice for other men with diabetes:
“Learn to agree to your diagnosis and learn that this will become a part of your life now. I know who you are, it's okay, and it's not a death sentence!”
Do you know other SA men with diabetes?
If you know who should be on this list, let me know! I would like to talk about all kinds of men with diabetes in South Africa.
Discover more from South Africa with diabetes
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