South Africa: Diabetes - From Suspected Sefola to Amputation - the Foot Sore That Cost a Leg

What the report says

A Health-e report distributed by AllAfrica tells the story of Themba Sepeng, a 54-year-old man from Klipgat near Mabopane in South Africa’s North West province, who lost his leg after a foot wound worsened while he was using traditional remedies. The article says Sepeng first developed a blister under his left foot in 2021 and later a similar sore on his toe in 2022. Friends and a traditional healer reportedly linked the recurring wound to sefola, a Setswana and Sepedi term for a severe non-healing sore often understood in cultural terms as a bad spell or supernatural harm.

According to the report, Sepeng delayed returning to biomedical care for about three months while trying herbal treatments. By the time he later sought medical help, doctors diagnosed diabetes, and the foot wound had become seriously infected. The article explains that diabetes can reduce sensation and blood flow in the feet, allowing small injuries to turn into ulcers or gangrene if not treated early.

Sepeng was eventually referred to a specialist in early 2023, but the infection had progressed to the point that doctors recommended amputation to save his life. He spent about six months in hospital, then received rehabilitation and a prosthetic limb. The piece says he now remains active and is encouraging others, especially men, to seek clinic care quickly for unusual wounds. It also notes broader clinical advice that deep, weeping or infected foot sores need prompt medical attention to help prevent amputations.