
Baby ‘butterfly' arrives at new home in Empangeni
A children's hospice in Empangeni has just received their newest 'butterfly'.
Baby Sam, a 9 week old who lost his mother at childbirth and who was born with many medical issues, arrived safely yesterday (Wednesday) at Butterfly Palliative Home.
ALSO READ: Help KZN children's hospice fill their shelves
Sam was born in the Eastern Cape, where no children's hospices are available, hence his move to Empangeni.
Wings and Wishes, which transports critically ill children so they can receive life-saving medical treatment and specialist care they require, sponsored the flight from East London to Durban.
Butterfly Palliative Home thanked all who contributed financially to the trip for fuel, formula and medical equipment.
A special thank you was given to Dr Ranjana Gigi from Swiss Board of Aid and her iThemba Home manager Candice Aitken who accompanied Sam on his flight.
'It takes various people, planning and a whole lot of prayer to pull off a trip like this, and we cannot do it without our virtual family's support,' said Butterfly Palliative Home co-founder Tarryn Bell on social media.
Follow Butterfly Palliative Home on Facebook to find out more about the NPO and how you can help them carry out the vital work they do for children and babies with life-limiting conditions.
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

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


The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Calls to integrate animal welfare into South Africa's One Health policy
Calls to integrate animal welfare into South Africa's One Health policy Urgent calls to recognise animal welfare as central to South Africa's development were made during the 2025 State of Animal Welfare Address (#SOAWA). The online symposium was hosted by FOUR PAWS South Africa and livestreamed on Wednesday. The annual event brings together government, academic and civil society leaders to discuss the role of animal welfare in building a just, resilient and sustainable South Africa. This year's focus was on companion, farm and wild animals — sectors often overlooked in national One Health strategies. 'It is time to mainstream animal welfare into our national development strategy – not as a luxury, but as a necessity for resilience, justice and health,' said FOUR PAWS South Africa director Fiona Miles. Dr André Coetzer of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control warned that neglecting dogs and cats undermines disease control efforts, highlighting the importance of mass vaccination and sterilisation campaigns. Dr Masika Sophie from the World Federation for Animals linked industrial farming to public health risks, citing antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic outbreaks, and food insecurity as major concerns. Miles also addressed the captive wildlife industry, warning that the commodification of wild animals, especially big cats, is unethical and dangerous, and undermines conservation. Moderated by Dr Tedson Nkoana from Future Africa, the panel discussed making South Africa's One Health Action Plan more effective by integrating animal welfare as a core element. He emphasised the need for cross-sector collaboration between health, agriculture, and environment departments. Miles called for political champions to embed animal welfare into policy, budgets and science, and for NGOs to work strategically and in unity to advance the issue. 'South Africa has the opportunity and responsibility to lead globally by building a humane, healthy and sustainable future,' she said. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer


The Citizen
04-08-2025
- The Citizen
Seafarer evacuated off ship near Richards Bay in medical emergency
Seafarer evacuated off ship near Richards Bay in medical emergency It was a four-hour rescue operation to save the life of an American seafarer, who suffered a medical emergency onboard a roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) motor vessel off the coast of Richards Bay on Sunday. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Richards Bay Station 19 crew responded to a call to evacuate the 70-year-old man who was in a serious condition. ALSO READ: WATCH: Successful rescue of distressed sailing yacht near Richards Bay The vessel had turned around and was heading back to Richards Bay at the time of the incident. The NSRI launched its rescue craft Ocean Guardian, which was accompanied by an NSRI crew rescue paramedic from KZN EMS, and an NSRI maritime extrication crew. 'We rendezvoused with the vessel 2 nautical miles south east of Richards Bay, at anchorage, where the American motor vessel provided a lee to assist in the operation against gusting 30 knot south-easterly winds in 3 to 4 meter sea swells,' said NSRI Richards Bay station commander Norman Rautenbach. 'Our NSRI rescue paramedic was transferred on board the motor vessel and medically evaluated the patient. He was transferred onto the NSRI rescue craft secured into a harness and safety lines, using high-angle extrication equipment, followed by the rescue paramedic,' he added. In a serious but stable condition, the man was transported safely to the NSRI rescue base and transferred to hospital for further treatment. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer


The Citizen
04-08-2025
- The Citizen
Free health screenings at local clinics this week
Certain KZN communities can this week access life-saving, free mobile health screenings and primary healthcare services. Rio Tinto, PinkDrive, and the National Department of Health are bringing vital cancer and health checks directly to clinics including Khandisa, Ngwelezane, eNseleni and Mbonambi. This initiative offers mammograms, pap smears, prostate tests and more, all free of charge. 'We are proud to once again collaborate with PinkDrive to bring these services closer to those who need them most. 'Through this collaboration, we can extend our reach and make a meaningful impact even in areas where we are not physically present. It is an extension of our core values of CARE,' said RTIT Africa Operations & RBM MD Werner Duvenhage. This important initiative is funded by the Rio Tinto Social Investment Fund. Last year, the outreach successfully reached 7 695 people over a two-week period, and the goal for this year is to screen over 12 000 individuals and provide health education to many more. CEO and founder of PinkDrive, Noelene Kotschan said, 'Far too many South Africans are diagnosed late because they simply don't have access to screening facilities. Our model of mobile healthcare has proven both innovative and effective in bridging this gap.' The mobile clinics will provide essential services such as mammograms, pap smears, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, clinical breast examinations, skin and lung cancer screenings, as well as general health screenings. Qualified doctors, nurses, radiographers and health educators will provide these services, with referrals to public health facilities arranged where necessary. Schedule: Tuesday, 5 August – Khandisa Clinic Wednesday, 6 August – Ngwelezana Clinic Thursday, 7 August – eNseleni community hall Friday, 8 August – Mbonambi Clinic Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer