Masego Lefalatsa underwent her first open surgery when she was only a year and four months old.
Masego Lefalatsa, a 23-year-old student from Bloemfontein, has undergone multiple heart surgeries since infancy and is currently on the waiting list for a heart transplant, yet continues to pursue her studies and campus life with determination.
Lefalatsa had her first open-heart surgery at just one year and four months old. She has since undergone two further operations and remains under ongoing medical care for a complex congenital heart condition.
Her condition was first detected by a family doctor who noticed symptoms including blue gums and fingertips, indicating low oxygen levels. She was later referred to a specialist, where it was discovered that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood were mixing due to a defect in her heart.
In December 2016, ahead of her third surgery, doctors identified abnormal muscle growth affecting her heart valves and arteries, restricting blood flow. She then underwent an urgent seven-hour procedure to remove part of the growth.
