Looking for a diabetes mentor? These community members are here to help. Feel free to reach out to them directly if you’d like to connect!
What is a diabetes mentor?
Diabetes is a tricky condition… It’s so important to have the right medication and eat the right food, of course, but it’s just as important to understand the condition, and that’s where a diabetes mentor can come in. These are people living with diabetes who want to help others who feel they could use some support. This isn’t medical advice, but tips on how to live a happy, healthy life with diabetes.
Meet the Sweet Life Mentors!
Marli Van Zyl
23 years old, living in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
How long have you had diabetes?
11 years in December
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
Diabetes is a blessing and an INDIVIDUAL diagnosis. Every body reacts differently, treat yours that way.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
CGMs! I always ask to see a fellow diabetic’s site 🙂
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Phone call
- Video call
Sarah Rawat
58 years old, living in Westville, Durban, KwaZulu/Natal.
How long have you had diabetes? 40 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
Diabetes is a lifelong disease that can be managed with commitment, a suppprt system, positivity and the right tools and information.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- Phone call
- Video call
Lurina Fourie
42 years old, living in Velddrif (West Coast) and Bellville (Cape Town), Western Cape
How long have you had diabetes? 26 years.
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
Basic day to day info on how to juggle the realities of my new life, while learning the ropes.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
Guiding others in their journey to realise there is life after their diagnosis. Sharing lived experience. Creating more comfortable and inclusive environments for people touched by diabetes
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Video call
- Organising and facilitating awareness events.
- Creating educational material.
Thandi Lovena Veli
26 years old, living in Odendaalsrus, Free State.
How long have you had diabetes? 10 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
I wish I’d known more about the emotional and mental aspects of living with diabetes.
How would you like to help?
Melany Voigt
52 years old, living in Hermanus, Western Cape.
How long have you had diabetes? 40 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
That there are more people out there with diabetes and to be able to connect better.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
Exercise at my age.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- Phone call
- Video call
Boitumelo Molema
24 years old, living in Mahikeng, North West.
How long have you had diabetes? 19 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
I wish I had known about community. That there were platforms and people to connect with during the transition. To not have felt alone, except for family of course.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
Mental health and emotional impact. Complications and co-occurring conditions. Daily management, lifestyle and living with diabetes.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Phone call
- Video call
Connect to Boitumelo on social media:
Lyn Sewell
58 years old, living in Linksfield, Gauteng.
How long have you had diabetes? 36 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
That I can be or do anything that I want to and that I’ll be ok – I’m not going to die.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes? Empowering people living with diabetes to empower themselves in any way including education and private sessions with lived experience.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Phone call
- Video call
Connect to Lyn on social media:
Daneen Fuller
20 years old, living in Cape Town, Western Cape.
How long have you had diabetes? Almost 7 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
When I was diagnosed I wish I knew that there were more people living with diabetes, who were closer than I thought. And that it’s okay to have days where you feel like giving up.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
Emotional and mental wellbeing.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Video call
Palesa Masego Mokgothu
20 years old, living in Bloemfontein, Free State.
How long have you had diabetes?
4 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
That it is not the end of the world, I can still incorporate the different parts of my life (like advocacy, being a student, a model, a friend and a family member).
That I can still have a full, typical life and that it is not the end of the world. I wish I had realised that managing diabetes doesn’t have to control you; with time.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
I’m especially interested in the mental and emotional side of living with diabetes, as well as helping others adjust to their diagnosis and build confidence in managing it daily. And sharing practical daily management and self-care.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Video call
Connect to Palesa on social media:
Muhluri Nsovo Nkuna
20 years old, living in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
How long have you had diabetes? 5 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
The impact that diabetes would have on my mental health without being diluted, and just having someone to hold my hand.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
I love the growth side of things. I’m very proud of how much I have grown from that child, confused and scared in Grade 10, to a poet and a diabetes advocate utilizing each and every platform at my disposal like radio, social media and in person as well.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- In person groups
- School talks
- Phone call
- Video call
Connect to Muhluri on social media:
Ahmed White Phiri
35 years old, living in Cape Town, Western Cape.
How long have you had diabetes? 10 years
What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?
More information about diabetes pre diagnosis.
Do you have a special interest in any part of living with diabetes?
Trying best now to live a better and healthier lifestyle.
How would you like to help?
- In person one-on-one
- Phone call
- Video call
Would you like to become a Sweet Life Mentor? Sign up here!
Discover more from Sweet Life
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be First to Comment