These were the painful words of GoodwillRamothata, 21, to his mother Josephine as he went through tests at Johannesburg's Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.

Ramothata, from Alexandra in Johannesburg, suffers from Xeroderma Pigmentosum. The condition means that he is too sensitive to the sun and is forced to stay indoors.

He was born with the condition. He consistently wears a towel around the face and head to cover his wounds.

The skin at the back of his head is so corroded it reveals his skull.

Yesterday, for the first time in three months, he was seen by a specialist at the hospital. In January, the hospital referred him back to Masakhane Clinic, saying they could no longer do anything for him.

The Gauteng health department organised that he be seen by a doctor after Sowetan ran his story.

His mother said tearfully: "Goodie, just be strong my boy, we have been through the worst. Just hold on."

Goodwill said: "You people do not understand. I'm in pain. No human is supposed to live like this. My life is over. I've had big dreams.

"I'm a musician and all I want is to have my own studio and a recording company. I have not released an album because of this pain."

Goodwill has self-recorded an 11-track hip-hop and R&B album. He was forced to drop out of school in Grade 9 in 2010.

Yesterday, he met dermatologist Professor Deepak Modi, who recommended he be admitted for further tests. While a doctor was examining him, Goodwill struggled to sit up straight because of back pains.

One of the doctors who will see him is a plastic surgeon.

During the examinations, Goodwill was shaking and his skin was pale and covered with freckles.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Tue Jun 18 23:24:41 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 5, 2012

edna

Shame! My body just shivers after seeing his pictures. This looks very painful. Tjo! I really don't know what to say.
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

Ntikana

Ramasedi wa poloko, tate reagokgopela direla lesogana le mogau. readuadumela gore otla mofodisha.
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

SebolaNtimetseAdikateMoketla

"In January, the hospital referred him back to Masakhane Clinic, saying they could no longer do anything for him".
............
............
The face value of this condition automatically suggests STRICTLY SPECIALIST ATTENTION.

Department of Health-

bury your heads in the sand for the entire day today!!

Hospital and doctors- - -

IS THIS IN PROGRESS CHEMICAL WARFARE AGAINST A BLACK KID?

or quiet diplomacy when nature does it for you???????

you are not going to win it-

TREAT HIM NOW!!

Sowetan please publish any results in due course!!
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

SebolaNtimetseAdikateMoketla

@Ntikana

Thank you for the prayer- I honor you!!!

maano ga a site go sita loso

modimo ga se lesilo!
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

nkombyane

please stay strong my friend i just hope the test goes well n be treated "God knows and will help you"
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

Phunyukabemphethe

Oh my God have mercy on him.
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

candilious

Goodwill said: "You people do not understand. I'm in pain. No human is supposed to live like this. My life is over. I've had big dreams.

"I'm a musician and all I want is to have my own studio and a recording company. I have not released an album because of this pain."
**********************************************************

Sad indeed you havebeen suffering since childhood and looking at your pictures your in pain you are in our prays. Rather pray for better days now and focus on it.

Lord Have Mercy
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

Ophezulu

I wonder what the Sushi King and his bling brigade say when they read such stories.

My prayers goes out to this young man.
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

BaleliM

Why do things happen when the newspaper runs a story? Why was this boy not seen way before the story came to the attention of millions of people.
How does any person whether nurse\doctor or even a stranger look at this boy and not be moved by the amount of pain he must be suffering?
To turned away in such a condition is inhumane!
Be strong young man.
Report Abuse

Apr 5, 2012

MommaC

&^%$&*( health department. Why does it always have to be shouted about in a newspaper before anything is done?

This boy should never have been allowed to go to school in the first place (home schooling should have been provided for him along with a decent health regime), the damage done in the years when he was wondering around in the sun cannot ever be fixed. The bloody doctor who didn't tell his poor mother that should be shot.

My heart goes out to him and the whole of his family. What a horrible torture this is
Report Abuse

Read all 145 comments