PPRETORIA, April 18 (ANA ) – A memorial service for South Africa’s much-loved “special child”, Ontlametse Phalatse, is expected to be held on Wednesday, in Hebron.
Her aunt, Maureen Moropa said the memorial service will be held at Mmanotshe Moduane High School at 2pm.
Ontlametse was one of the two South African young women living with Progeria, an extremely rare genetic disorder of rapid ageing at a very early age.
She passed away last week Tuesday at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Rankuwa after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Doctors did not think Ontlemetse would live to see her 14th birthday, but on March 25 she turned 18 after finishing her matric.
Last week Wednesday, during his birthday celebration, President Jacob Zuma presented Ontlametse’s family with a car. Zuma spent a day last month with Ontlametse to celebrate her 18th birthday.
Ontlametse’s wish was to see her family living in a decent house and having a car. The family had been invited as guests to celebrate Zuma’s birthday
It was in 2009, that she was diagnosed and told she would not live beyond the age of 14.
The disorder leaves those suffering from it unable to reach their mid teens and very rarely reaching their 20s.
The funeral will take place on Friday in Hebron.
– African News Agency (ANA)
