Every November, people join the global movement to raise awareness about diabetes, a condition affecting millions of families across our country. However, beyond the statistics are real people whose daily choices, challenges, and victories reveal the transformative power of lifestyle change. This Diabetes Awareness Month, Eat Better South Africa (EBSA) is highlighting the stories of participants who have transformed their health through simple, accessible nutrition.
EBSA works in communities across Cape Town, empowering individuals with practical knowledge about low-cost, whole-food eating. For many participants, these programmes mark a turning point, a moment where knowledge meets action, and action leads to real change. Across our programmes, participants share similar struggles: rising blood sugar levels, reliance on medication, fatigue, weight gain, financial stress around food choices, and the fear of diabetes progressing. With the right guidance and a supportive community, many have found the confidence to take back control of their health.
In Dunoon, an entire family’s life changed through the EBSA 6-week programme. A mother, father, and daughter enrolled together, each facing their own health battles with high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and weight concerns. The transformation was remarkable. By session four, their daughter, who had arrived at the first session in a wheelchair, was walking freely. The improvements rippled through the whole family, and their commitment didn’t stop at their own front door. The mother became a passionate advocate, challenging others: “What are you doing to help your neighbours, to help your church mates, to help your relatives? You must tell them about this green list. It helps.” Their story demonstrates that healing can be a family journey, and that transformation inspires transformation.
From Monte Vista, another participant shared powerful results after completing the EBSA 6-week programme. Following the guidance they received, they saw dramatic improvements in their diabetes management: “Went for my 6-month diabetic check up yesterday and pleased to report HbA1C is 6 (that’s a 3-month estimate), previously was 7 and before that 7.5 a year ago.” These aren’t just numbers for them; they represent a steadily improving trajectory toward health, proof that consistent nutritional changes deliver measurable results.
Perhaps one of the most profound testimonies comes from a male participant in the pilot phase of the EBSA programme at Dunoon Clinic. His journey began in crisis after being rushed to the Dunoon emergency room with a dangerously high blood glucose level of 33.0 mmol/L. Having exhausted every option, he had lost hope: “I had tried everything. Every bitter solution that claimed to cure diabetes, I know it. I thought I was going to die.” Today, his Type 2 diabetes is in remission, and he has become an EBSA coach at Dunoon Clinic, now guiding others through the same transformation he experienced. From patient to advocate, his story embodies the ripple effect of empowerment.
These testimonies remind us that diabetes prevention and management don’t start in the clinic, but at home, in our kitchens, and in our communities. When people understand how food affects their health, they are empowered to make choices that support long-term wellbeing.
This month, as we highlight participant voices, we honour their courage, their journeys, and their commitment to healthier living. Their stories are a testament to what is possible when education, community, and action come together.
At Eat Better South Africa and The Noakes Foundation, we believe that small changes can spark big transformations. And through these testimonies, we are reminded that every healthier plate, every learned skill, and every empowered choice brings us one step closer to a nation living well — one community at a time.
