
Runner Moira Harding won't return to Comrades
The 54-year-old spent several days in hospital undergoing intensive treatment, and was eventually discharged after making what was described as a miraculous recovery.
Towards the end of June, The South African revealed that Harding has made encouraging recovery progress in her recovery, while she has confirmed to IOL that she has no plans to return to run the famed the endurance race again next year.
'I went missing at the end of the Comrades Marathon and was found 15 hours later, unconscious and unresponsive due to severe dehydration and extremely low sodium levels resulting in disorientation and delirium,' she explained in an emotional personal message posted on a runners community group.
Harding also shared a debt of gratitude to all those who assisted, supported and cared for her during 'one of the toughest moments' of her life.
'I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported me and prayed for me when I went missing… Your love and prayers carried me through one of the toughest moments of my life.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
IIE Vega interior design graduate rings the bell on chemo and graduation
When Hannah Carpel walked the stage at the Independent Institute of Education (IIE)-Vega Bordeaux campus' recent graduation ceremony, she wasn't just a graduate; she was a survivor. She earned her IIE Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design degree after overcoming more than most, starting her tertiary studies in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, losing her father in November 2023, and being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in June 2024. She completed her final round of chemotherapy in June 2025, ringing the bell to mark the milestone. Now in remission, Carpel is not only celebrating her health and her degree; she's celebrating the start of an exciting new chapter. 'Graduating meant everything to me. I didn't want to become a victim of circumstance. I was so close to finishing my studies, and I put in so much effort. I wasn't going to let cancer stop me. Completing my degree was something I needed to do.' Also read: IIE-Vega held an Analogue Mini Jam game day Throughout her treatment, Carpel leaned on the support of her family – both at home and at school. 'The lecturers and staff were absolutely phenomenal. After the sudden loss of my dad, the staff were a huge help. Lecturers granted me concessions and extended deadlines so that I could submit my work.' Carpel has wanted to become an interior designer since she was 12 years old. Despite having to adapt to online learning in her first year, due to Covid-19, she described her studies as thoroughly enjoyable. Looking back, she said the journey taught her more than she expected. 'I've learnt that I'm a lot tougher than I thought I was. I learnt that I have resilience and fight inside me. There were moments when I wanted to quit, to let go and let cancer take me, but quitting wasn't an option. I needed to fight back.' She advises students facing adversity to accept that things will get tough every now and again, and to set a goal, focus on a dream, and know that's what they're fighting for. To learn more about the programmes at IIE-Vega, visit Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!


The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Residents prevent foreigners from accessing healthcare at local clinics
SHARPEVILLE.- The Sharpeville and Vereeniging community has embarked on what they call 'a campaign' to stop foreign nationals from being attended to at their clinics. The community has seemingly followed what an organisation called 'Dudula' is doing, mostly in the Johannesburg area, where foreigners are prohibited from getting any healthcare service. Investigating, Sedibeng Ster has discovered that the community members take turns to monitor patients at the clinics, barring foreigners from entering the premises and getting treatment or being attended to. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster on condition of anonymity, for obvious reasons, community members said that the clinics are overflowing with foreigners while the people of South Africa are struggling to get service. 'It is purely because of that that the community has taken this action. We have had it with the situation, and we have decided to take a stand, checking all foreigners.' Foreigners, who Sedibeng Ster asked for comment about the situation, refused to speak to 'papers' about the tense situation. 'No organisation is doing or funding this; the community just decided to take a stand because they are fed up,' a community member said. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said that it is aware of incidents where patients are obstructed from accessing healthcare, and that where there are reports of people who prevent others from accessing health services, the incidents are always reported to the law enforcement agencies, such as the police, who always respond swiftly to deal with the issues. 'The Gauteng Department of Health reported the matter to law enforcement agencies that are custodians of maintaining law and order.' 'In addition, the department remains committed to providing healthcare services to everyone irrespective of their nationality,' said Motalatale Modiba, GDoH's head of communication Modiba said that what the community is doing is not legal. 'We continue to appeal to communities not to take the law into their own hands but to allow constitutionally mandated institutions to be the ones that enforce the law.' Sharpeville police spokesperson, Constable Busisiwe Sango, said there have not been any cases (of threats) reported to them; however, they are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the residents of Vereeniging have also joined in the 'campaign'. A video circulating on social media shows them preventing foreign nationals from entering the Market Street Clinic in Vereeniging, demanding South African documentation.

IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
The next step after beating cancer? Reclaiming identity through hair restoration
For many survivors, the next chapter is about restoration: rebuilding confidence, reclaiming identity, and, sometimes, rediscovering joy in the mirror. Image: Thirdman/pexels For anyone who's walked the long road through cancer, survival is a word that means everything. But making it through treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is only part of the story. For many survivors, the next chapter is about restoration: rebuilding confidence, reclaiming identity, and, sometimes, rediscovering joy in the mirror. In South Africa, cancer touches thousands of families every year. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), cancers like breast, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancer are among the most common, with over 100 000 new cases reported annually. While medical advances save more lives than ever before, the emotional and physical scars can linger. One of the most visible and emotionally charged reminders of cancer is hair loss. Why hair loss hurts so much Losing your hair during cancer treatment isn't just about looks. It can feel like losing a part of yourself, your identity, your femininity or masculinity, your privacy, your sense of normalcy. As Dr Kashmal Kalan, medical director at Alvi Armani South Africa, puts it: 'This isn't about vanity. It's about healing the whole person. Even after treatment ends, survivors often see someone in the mirror who still looks like a patient. That can make it hard to reconnect with the person they were before cancer.' Why does hair fall out during cancer treatment? The answer is both simple and scientific. Chemotherapy and radiation attack rapidly dividing cells. While this helps kill cancer, it also harms healthy cells that grow quickly, like those in our hair follicles. The result? Hair may thin, recede, or fall out entirely, sometimes never regrowing the same way. A study published in "Psycho-Oncology" found that hair loss ranked as one of the most distressing side effects, especially for women. Losing your hair during cancer treatment isn't just about looks. It can feel like losing a part of yourself, your identity, your femininity or masculinity, your privacy, your sense of normalcy Image: Michelle Leman /pexels Restoration is more than cosmetic For survivors like Cindy Pretorius, a basal cell carcinoma survivor, hair restoration was the last step in her healing journey. After surgery left her with visible scarring along her hairline, she received a minimally invasive hair transplant at Alvi Armani South Africa. And she's not alone. For many, regaining hair is about reclaiming self-worth, dignity, and a sense of hope not just for themselves, but for loved ones who've walked the journey beside them. A game-changing initiative for South African survivors In August, CANSA and Alvi Armani are launching a powerful new initiative: free, personalised hair restoration consultations for cancer survivors. Whether you've just finished treatment or are years into remission, this program offers scalp assessments, checks for lingering treatment effects, and, where needed, advice on restorative treatments or even hair transplants. The goal is to make world-class care accessible to South Africans, regardless of background or income. Alvi Armani's advanced techniques, like the Vitruvian and Maximus follicular unit extraction (FUE), are used in their clinics from Beverly Hills to Johannesburg, ensuring survivors here receive the same expert care as patients abroad. 'People who've overcome cancer deserve more than just a life saved. They deserve the chance to live it fully, with confidence and joy,' explains Kalan. There's real evidence that restoring hair can help restore lives. Research from the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that persistent hair loss after treatment can fuel anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. For some, hair regrowth is slow or incomplete, making it hard to move forward. He adds, 'Hair is a part of how we express identity. By restoring it, we help people feel like themselves again, more confident to re-enter public life, apply for jobs, or socialise without feeling marked by illness.' How to get involved If you or someone you love is a cancer survivor in South Africa, you can contact Alvi Armani South Africa directly and mention your CANSA affiliation for a complimentary consultation. The program also features information sessions at CANSA events, like Relay For Life and the CANSA High Tea, bringing expert advice and support to survivors nationwide. Makoma Raolane, CANSA's Sustainability Manager, sums it up perfectly: 'Healing also means restoring dignity, self-confidence, and quality of life. Our partnership with Alvi Armani reflects our commitment to holistic survivorship care.' Survival is about more than beating cancer. It's about living again, fully and freely, no longer defined by scars, but by strength.