A Gugulethu man who had been in hospital for three weeks after testing positive for Covid-19 was discharged from Gatesville Hospital on Monday morning.
The 48-year-old Bathandwa Zuzo had been on a ventilator in the intensive care unit and joy and applause filled the reception area as he prepared to go home.
Among those waiting for him was his wife, Victoria, a nurse, who had tested negative for Covid-19.
She was seeing him for the first time in three weeks.
“I am very excited this morning, I’m excited to see my husband for the first time in a very long time. I last saw him on the 26th of April, he was very sick and the doctors assured him that he would be fine. I just needed to be strong,” she said.
“I want to thank everyone here in the hospital for doing everything they did to help my husband.
“We used to pray at home and ask God to protect and heal him.”
As her husband emerged, she gave him a hug and asked the doctor’s permission to kiss him.
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo who was also there to celebrate with the couple, said
Mr Bathandwa was one of the 3 500 people in Western Cape to recover from the virus.
“We are here to welcome and celebrate one of the best moments ever, to welcome Mr Zuzo coming out for the first time since the 26th of April,” she said, noting that Mr Zuzo had given his permission for health authorities to share his story.