SABC’s Senior Journalist, Chriselda Lewis better known as “Babes weNdaba” on the Twitter streets has opened up about her brush with death following a positive Covid-19 test.
Announcing the news on Twitter, Chriselda said, “Late last month I had tested positive for Covid-19. It has been a painful and scary journey towards recovery. I thank the Almighty for giving me more life. The doctors, my family, friends and colleagues who showed so much love and care. While my isolation period has lapsed, I will be away for a few more days to regain strength and provide emotional and logistical support to others who are nearing the end of their isolation period. Praise God. I have been away from social media for a while as the grief of families losing their loved ones has been too much to bear. May God grant them comfort. Please be safe. God bless you. See you soon.”
Entertainment Commentator Kgopolo “Phil” Mphela said, “Sorry to read about your Covid19 + ordeal @Chriseldalewis so happy you pulled through Sis. Take those few days to regain your strength and come back. We miss you”
@CathyMohlahlana said, “I’m so sorry to hear that Chrissy. Glad you’re on the mend”
@Kingkwai said, “I'm very sorry to hear that but I know with no doubt that you'll grace us with that beauty of yours soon!”
@givtwenty said, “Wishing you a speedy recovery, I went through the same ordeal last year this time around. A year later, there are days which I still struggle with symptoms such as fatigue and memory loss. May the Almighty heal you”
@Khangweezy said, “I trust you'll conquer. We looking forward to hearing 'Chriselda Lewis, SABC News, Johannesburg' once again”
@JajiMuzi, “So sorry to hear bad news. One thing for sure people, your fans, your listeners siyakuthanda sisi. Ube right”
Chriselda was one of the people at the forefront of the SABC retrenchment protest action.
The protest action ended with 346 of the 621 SABC employees opting for voluntary severance packages. The other 275 employees are those who occupied positions that have become unnecessary.
Sowetan reported that the SABC’s group chief executive officer Madoda Mxakwe said, “The SABC used its best endeavours and managed to absorb affected employees who qualified for vacant positions during the recruitment process. However the number of exiting employees is higher than originally anticipated, due primarily to the impact that lower job scales have on employees’ retirement benefits and fund value, and the lack of relevant competencies and qualifications matching available jobs.”
Mxakwe said the process was necessary to preserve and reposition the SABC as a resilient and viable public broadcaster and public media organisation. “We want to be part of preserving this national treasure which has the public interest at the very heart of its existence.”
We wish Chriselda a speedy recovery and cannot wait to see her back on our screens and giving us everything latest in South Africa with integrity.
Main image credit: Twitter/@Chriseldalewis