Chapter 16 - Tuberculosis Infection

Our family of ten children and two parents lived in a two-roomed house in Alexandra. As a result, my younger brother Jonas contracted Tuberculosis.  The whole family had chest X-rays taken at the local Alexandra Clinic. Fortunately, the results were negative, except for Jonas.

A nurse was assigned to administer medication to Jonas. The medication was in the form of an intramuscular injection. This was a problem for Jonas. The nurse used to arrive early in the morning. Jonas would run away, down Hofmeyer Street.  He ran until he reached Twentieth Avenue.  His friends would be assigned to go and fetch him. The poor nurse would wait until he was brought home. He still required people to restrain him whilst the nurse administered medication. After medication, Jonas would cry for a long time.

My mother had compassion for my brother. She arranged for Jonas to ...

To read more on what Rose's mother arranged for Jonas to escape the 'torture' he was going through at the time; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takealot).

My younger brother, Modupi Jonas Rakoma,
 who once had TB infection.