Approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases. According to Epilepsy SA, this medical condition affects 1 out of 100 people in South Africa, translating into about half-a-million people. Epilepsy is often surrounded by prejudice and myth, which can be overcome only with enormous difficulties.

In short, epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain characterized by recurring seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement of the body sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness. The disorder spans all age groups and to onlookers it can instil fear, prejudice and discrimination.

People with epilepsy are sometimes regarded as “being chosen” or “being possessed,” depending on the prevailing popular belief, this can delay treatment and worsen society’s attitudes towards epileptic people. Despite the significant clinical and therapeutic progress of the last century, people with epilepsy continue to be stigmatised.

To improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy worldwide, considerable efforts are needed to educate all sectors of society and the general public, as well as the families of people living with epilepsy. It is within this context that the GladAfrica Foundation and the University of Venda will launch a research project called “GladAfrica Epilepsy Research Project” to assess the prevalence of epilepsy in rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and to develop response mechanisms.

On the 12th of February 2020, the GladAfrica Foundation and the University of Venda will officially launch the four-year partnership. This initiative has been endorsed and is supported by Epilepsy South Africa.

The GladAfrica Foundation has, over the years, implemented various social upliftment initiatives with a focus on sport and recreation, education, personal hygiene and health. This research undertaking is one of the many efforts by the GladAfrica Foundation to continuously seek ways to empower the disadvantaged communities by providing them with information and tools that can improve their lives.

The Co-Chairperson of the GladAfrica Foundation, Mr. Noel Mashaba, was affected by epilepsy. It is for this reason that the GladAfrica Foundation has initiated this project in the provinces from where Mr. Mashaba hails. “There is a need to explain epilepsy in the medical sense in order to dispel myths and misconceptions that exists in our
communities. In most instances, Epilepsy is regarded as a disability instead of a health condition. There is a need to destigmatise epilepsy and raise awareness on its causes and medication options applicable to different types of epilepsy” said Mashaba.

Mashaba says a multi-sector approach is therefore required in order to raise awareness about epilepsy. It is within this context that we will partner with the University of Venda in order assess the prevalence of epilepsy in rural communities of the identified provinces and to develop response mechanisms.”

Mashaba says that the GladAfrica Foundation is confident that, through education and awareness activities, and support from other social partners, efforts of educating the public and raising awareness about epilepsy will be heightened. He says the message is clear, by working together with the affected communities we can destigmatise
epilepsy.