“Cancer does more than attack the body; it invades our very sense of being, robbing us of time, vitality, and life itself,” says Garron Gsell, CEO of the Men’s Foundation SA. “Each delay in cancer treatment is not just a pause in care but an infringement on an individual’s humanity. It’s a theft of time that should be spent living, rather than waiting in desperation.”
The state of cancer treatment in South Africa, especially in Gauteng, is a dire situation that can no longer be ignored. Over the past five years, the Cancer Alliance has repeatedly raised alarms about the inadequacies in the province’s radiation oncology services. Despite numerous warnings and viable solutions offered by civil society, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has failed to address the crisis effectively. As a result, many cancer patients are left stranded on their road to recovery, waiting for access to critical care and treatments.
One of the primary contributors to this crisis is the lack of maintenance and proper management of radiation oncology equipment at key hospitals, such as Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. In 2022, this hospital was struck by tragedy when arson forced the evacuation of nearly 700 patients, causing extensive damage to the facilities. Today, only six out of the twelve available machines are operational, leading to unmanageable waiting times that have a devastating impact on patient care.
The situation is further exacerbated by the GDoH’s inability to recruit and retain qualified radiation therapists due to unresolved salary disparities. As a result, the healthcare system is struggling to meet the growing demands of a rising population of cancer patients. This neglect has left civil society with no choice but to resort to legal action to compel the government to take accountability and implement change.
“The Cancer Alliance has been advocating tirelessly for solutions, urging the Department to enhance internal capacity before considering outsourcing. Yet, after countless attempts to engage and a lack of responsiveness, legal action has become the only option left to safeguard the lives of those waiting for care,” says Gsell. “When funds specifically earmarked for use are neglected and mismanaged, we are compelled to step in and hold those in power accountable.”
It is not only the physical health of cancer patients that is at stake. Gsell emphasizes that each unnecessary delay is a cruel act that chips away at the very essence of a person’s humanity. “Every day lost is a day where a father, brother, or son misses another family moment, loses another opportunity to fight, and spends more time battling bureaucracy rather than battling cancer.”
In light of this reality, the need for advocacy and support has never been more urgent. Starting November 1st, the Men’s Foundation will launch the Brovember campaign, inviting South African men to grow their moustaches and raise awareness, as well as funds, for South African men who would otherwise not have access to treatment. Every rand raised through Brovember will remain in South Africa (unlike other awareness campaigns that raise funds for prostate cancer locally), supporting men who would otherwise not have access to the medical care they need to beat prostate cancer.
“Brovember is a campaign by South African men, for South African men,” says Gsell. “It’s about stepping up where our systems have failed, providing treatment and hope where there was none. We are calling on all South Africans to rally together, support advocacy networks, and stand in solidarity for a cause that restores more than just health – it restores humanity.”
With ongoing efforts from civil society, there is hope that more lives can be saved, and more time restored. “The power of advocacy lies in its ability to remind us all that we are not powerless,” Gsell concludes. “We can hold governments accountable, but we must also hold ourselves accountable by staying informed, proactive, and compassionate. The fight against cancer is a collective responsibility, and together, we can change the outcome for many.”
