SA Men with Diabetes

What is it like to be a man living with diabetes in South Africa? June is Men’s Health month, and we are so proud to introduce this round-up of SA men with diabetes.

Living with diabetes can be tricky as a man… Especially if you’re exposed to stigma and misinformation regarding impotence and diabetes. Here, we ask inspiring South African men with diabetes for their best advice to other men with diabetes.

Let’s celebrate our SA Men with Diabetes: living their best lives, with a chronic condition.

Earl Prinsloo

Earl is a 38-year-old who’s been living with diabetes since September 2012 (12 years).

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“As men we often think it is weak to ask for help. However, showing vulnerability and asking for any kind of assistance takes even more courage.

I challenge all men today to be more transparent about their struggles. Particularly those related to diabetes management, reproductive and sexual health, and the impact it has on them personally.

Help exists in the form of professionals, peer groups or simply just talking to a fellow person from our community. Your numbers will never be perfect. Just work on being better than yesterday.”

Jethro Micheal Morrison

Jethro is a 41-year-old who has been living with diabetes for 19 years, almost two decades!

His advice to other men with diabetes:

1. Own your numbers

Know your time in range / HbA1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. Track them regularly but not obsessively. Treat it like managing a business, data helps you make strong decisions.

2. Watch out for stress

Stress affects your blood sugar and health. Find your outlet, whether that is faith, exercise, music, hobbies. Mental health is as important as physical health.

3. Don’t let diabetes steal your confidence

Diabetes is something you manage – it’s not your identity. You can still be strong, successful and fully capable.

Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma

Siyabonga, 29 years old, has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 17 years, and initially kept it a secret for 12 years due to feelings of shame and difficulty finding acceptance.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“My advice to other men living with diabetes would be not to live in shame with their diabetes because of the stigma surrounding it. This has a positive impact on your diabetes care and management.

Let’s break the cycle of men not opening up and dying inside because of how society perceives us as men. We are humans who have emotions, and we should embrace that.

Check out Siyabonga’s Living With Diabetes series on YouTube, where he openly discusses his journey and the challenges of living with Type 1 diabetes, using his platform to advocate for others living with diabetes, especially to help them avoid similar experiences.”

Paul Edmunds

Paul is just shy of 55 years old and has been living with diabetes for 40 years.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Particularly when I was younger, I’ve never been much good at taking advice. Forced to offer some, I would say – find out what works for you; we’re all different.”

Mohamed Adam Kariel

Adam is a 33-year-old who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for almost 6 years since July 2019.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“It’s a lot to take in in the beginning, but take it one day at a time. It will require lifestyle changes and in my case, I used it as an opportunity to get more fit and active.

Running was the best way, struggled in the beginning and currently running half marathons with ease, preparing for my first marathon in August. My overall advice would be to find the opportunity and make it your purpose.”

Gavin van Wyk

Gavin is 40 years old and has lived with diabetes for 37 years, defying his (then) doctor’s gloomy diagnosis.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“As men living with diabetes, we not only face physical complications, but mental ones as well.

Never feel you are alone. Build your support team with loved ones and others who have diabetes.
We can help and learn from each other.

It hasn’t been without its challenges, Complications are difficult, but perseverance has been it’s fruit. In 1988 they told my parents I wouldn’t live to see 13! And now I’m 40. Having a great support system was key.”

Read more about Gavin’s journey to navigating complications here.

Victor Mokgatlane

Victor is a 48-year-old who has been living with diabetes for 7 years.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“A lot of people have so many misconceptions about us, men with diabetes. Some of those include not being able to respond to certain natural calls like sex etc. I believe it’s all in the mind and if you take your medication well and you eat well, nothing should stop you from being natural.”

Read more about managing erectile dysfunction here.

Riaan Naudé

Riaan is 51 years old and has been living with diabetes since 2001—nearly half his life, and advocates for mental health awareness among men with diabetes.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“My advice to my fellow men with diabetes would be, not to be afraid to speak about your battles with mental health.

It does not make you a lesser man.

Please, seek professional advice for your mental health struggles. Support each other as men with diabetes, with mental health. Break the stigma around men’s mental health with awareness.”

Sifiso Palai

Sifiso is a 21-year-old who has been living with diabetes for 18 years. He encourages men to prioritise both physical and emotional health.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“To all the men out there living with diabetes,

I’ve been walking this road for 18 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that diabetes does not define you — but how you manage it does shape your quality of life. This journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s made me stronger, more disciplined, and deeply aware of my body and health.

Here’s my advice to you:

• Prioritise your health like your life depends on it because it does. Monitor your sugar levels, take your medication, and never ignore the signs your body gives you.
• Don’t let pride silence you. Speak up, get regular checkups, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or support. Your strength lies in your honesty.
• Discipline is your best friend. Whether it’s choosing what to eat, when to rest, or how much to exercise, stay consistent. Small daily decisions add up.
• Mental health matters. Living with diabetes can be emotionally draining. Talk to someone, journal, pray, meditate, whatever works for you. A strong mind helps keep a strong body.
• You’re not alone. There are many of us walking this path. Share your story, encourage others, and stay connected.
• It’s not just about living with diabetes, it’s about thriving in spite of it. Keep pushing, keep fighting, and never forget that every day you manage this condition is a day you win.

With strength and solidarity,
A man who’s been there for 18 years and still going strong.”

Stefan Lotz

Stefan is a 33-year-old who’s been living with diabetes since 2008.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

Always live life to the fullest. Don’t let diabetes get you down.

Schalk Nell

Schalk is 60 years old and has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 27 years.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“I think if you can stay away from stress it will help a lot. Personally, I think this is one of the biggest issues with diabetes but very difficult.

I have neuropathy in my hands and feet, my feet are more serious so there is also that worry of cutting your feet with something and it takes time to heal. I had something like that on my lower leg and it took 2 to 3 months too heal. So the struggle is real.”

Jaco Cronje

Jaco is 46 years old and has lived with diabetes since 2006.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Don’t let diabetes stop you from trying things that seem out of reach. The daily ups and downs can be tough, but they build strength, resilience, and a kind of fearlessness that prepares you for anything in life.”

Naeem Sonpra

Naeem is a 50-year-old who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 16, and has been living with the condition since 1991.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Living with diabetes is a challenge, but it shouldn’t keep you from doing the things you are passionate about.

On days where it feels difficult, remember that you are not alone. Reach out to your loved ones or the diabetes community for advice and inspiration.

You’ll be surprised at how a little motivation from your fellow diabetes warriors can help you reach any goal you set.”

Thabo Batshe

Thabo is 28 years old and has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 7 years.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Living with Type 1 Diabetes taught me that openness is strength, not a weakness. Talking about it makes treatment easier and protects my mental health. As men, we are often told to stay silent, but diabetes doesn’t really care much about masculinity, and neither should we when it comes to our health. Real power comes from taking control, using the right tools, and showing up fully; not despite my diagnosis, but with it.”

Nicholas Caracandas

Nick is a 38-year-old who has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 30 years

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Don’t treat it like a condition you manage—treat it like a skill you master.

Most men wait for things to go wrong before they decide to get serious about their health. But diabetes doesn’t wait.

It’s not just about blood sugar—it’s about your mindset, your discipline, and the standards you live by. You don’t need to settle for average or live life feeling like you’re broken.

You can build strength, resilience, and real confidence—not in spite of diabetes, but because of how you show up for yourself every day.

I created Diabetic Athletic to prove that you can train, eat, and live with intention—and thrive. So my advice? Raise your standards. Learn the skill. Master your body.
Live athletic—not diabetic.

Salih Hendricks

Salih is 58 years old and has lived with diabetes for 44 years.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“My advice to other male diabetics would be, if you suffer from any diabetes related conditions seek medical or peer support as it really helps”

Koketso Caven Monageng

Caven is a 37-year-old who’s been living with Type 1 diabetes since December 2020.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Exercise and take medication.”

Charl Lombard

Charl is 23 years old and has lived with diabetes for just over 2 years, since April 2023.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Always keep track of what you eat and know your best and your worst.

Diabetes always offers learning, whether it is what you eat or what type of exercise you are doing.

Speak up when you are going through lows and highs, especially when you are at events, so that people are aware should there be an incident. Embrace your diabetes, and remember you are not alone!”

Patrick Mostert

Patrick has been living with diabetes for 14 years.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

Don’t give up, it’s okay as a man to ask for help. This is not easy but it does get better.

Keegan Mostert

Keegan has been living with diabetes for 6 years, diagnosed 8 years after his twin brother.

His advice to other men with diabetes:

“Learn to come to terms with your diagnosis and that this will now be part of your life forever, this is who you are and that is okay, and know it is not a death sentence!”

Do you know any other SA men with diabetes?

If you know anyone who should be on this list, please tell us! We want to tell the stories of all kinds of men with diabetes in South Africa.