This week, Epicentre had the privilege of meeting Dumisani Pakkies, a man whose story left us deeply moved and powerfully motivated. Diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer, Dumisani faced more than nine months of intense therapy — a journey that tested his body and spirit. Yet instead of letting cancer define him, he chose to face it head-on, embracing resilience, hope, and a mission to spread awareness about men’s health.
Weathering the Storm
Pakkies often recalls his mother’s words: “Men depend on circumstances.” To him, this means we can choose to let challenges keep us inside, or we can take up the umbrella and weather the storm. When cancer came into his life, Dumisani chose the latter.
He shares that three things carried him through his journey:
• Support from family and friends — a reminder that no one should face cancer alone.
• Access to medical aid, which made essential care possible.
• Fitness and movement — throughout therapy, Pakkies continued running, proving that all forms of healing begin with movement. “You need to stretch yourself to levels you’ve never been,” he says, “otherwise cancer will — and you need to be ready.”
Breaking the Silence on Prostate Health
Prostate health is rarely spoken about, yet monitoring it is simple. A yearly PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test — a quick blood test covered by most medical aids as a preventative benefit — can save lives. It doesn’t come out of your savings, and if levels start to rise, it’s a sign to consult a specialist early.
Pakkies is now on a mission to empower men to take control of their health. His message is clear: “Cancer, like all illness, can be beaten if we join hands with the conviction that cancer must fall.”
Running for Change
To spread this message further, Dumisani and several running groups will participate in an awareness run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on September 12th and 13th. The run will highlight the importance of PSA screening, particularly for black men who are often at higher risk.
This initiative is part of his campaign, Kuzolunga, which means “things will be okay”. It is a movement about unity, breaking barriers, and reminding men that they are not alone — while encouraging them to take charge of their health and adopt healthier lifestyles.
A Call to Action
Epicentre is proud to stand beside Dumisani in this important mission. His story reminds us that prostate cancer can be prevented — but only if we talk, test, and take action. Let’s break the silence, encourage our brothers, fathers, and friends to get checked, and support initiatives like Kuzolunga.
A simple PSA test, once a year, could save your life. Why not check?
