Simba has spent the last week at the Helen Joseph Hospital and is hanging in there. I say that because it’s what one has to do in a government hospital in South Africa, even when there’s no pandemic. And of course, there is. It is not a comfortable or comforting experience (there has been no water there for the last day and a half, would you believe). The specialists are often the best there are though, and Simba is maintaining his patience (no pun intended) and humour. More importantly, he is getting the care he needs. Tests have been done, with a couple more to go, but he is responding well to treatment.

Simba remains extremely grateful to all who have contributed to the Shifty Simba Fund (ongoing), to all those who have sent him love & positive vibes and to those, that I would like to mention here, who have advised him, or helped directly in finding him the care he needs:

- Guillaume Rossouw, our dedicated point man and Simba’s guardian angel, despite being the spitting image of Lucifer;

- Carina Coen, who in turn is Guillaume’s angel in more ways than one;

- Herbie Opland for moral and other support for Guillaume;

- Jeremy Crawford for picking up initial Mediclinic bill;

- Dr Ilse Breytenbach, the doctor in our camp, who has been interpreting the various blood tests as they come in, advising on what to do/expect, and maintaining our confidence in the medical profession;

- Jannie Hanepoot van Tonder, for enlisting Ilse and for being his caring, helpful self;

- Andrew Kay for raising much needed initial funds plus providing advice as a fellow sufferer of renal issues;

- Selva “Bubbles” Reddy, similarly providing info & advice as a fellow sufferer;

More news on Simba next week. We are optimistically hoping for the best.