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Welcome to Episode 38 of 'not ARTIFICIALLY Sweetened', dropping on World Diabetes Day 2023!

Now with listeners in 29 countries, this Episode is brought to you in support of diabetes awareness and care by the CDE Online Pharmacy (https://cdeonline.co.za/), the online store of choice for people living with diabetes.

If you're living with diabetes or a health professional that facilitates diabetes care, you're in the right place!

Join our journey, as we grow together in understanding, insight, and self-awareness to change lives for the better. Our deliberations are always honest, challenging and thought provoking. Nothing is off the table as we meet real people, discuss their real issues and stories, and together discover real answers to many vexing practical issues in diabetes and its care.

This week Stan and Michael talk about the global shortage of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications driven by social media influencers and social networking, and some caveats in swapping between member molecules even in the same class and in storage and transport.

We have a truly inspirational studio guest this week, Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma from Howick in KwaZulu-Natal. Siyabonga has a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Housing, Development Studies and the Built Environment from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, but his true passions lie in being a writer, poet and a diabetes advocate. He has also been living with type 1 diabetes for over 15 years. As a poet, he goes by his first name and middle name, Siyabonga Kwanele.

In a transformational story, Siyabonga relates:

• His introduction to diabetes, through the diagnosis of his older sister with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, followed by his own diagnosis the next year
• How both him and his sister were initially misdiagnosed with influenza
• His journey with diabetes encompassing feeling robbed of his childhood, living a double life while denying his diabetes because of stigma, and the temptations of peer-pressure which lead to him tossing ‘self-control’ and becoming addicted to marijuana and alcohol
• The life events that led to a complete change in perspective, increasing self-awareness and self-acceptance, leading to him acknowledging and sharing his diabetes diagnosis and living a life of authenticity and openness as a rational, responsible person who is at peace while living with diabetes
• His rising interest in writing poetry, and in creative diabetes advocacy and social commentary
• His leadership style and current involvements in diabetes advocacy
• His forthcoming books, ‘Millennial Thoughts’ a collection of poetry and prose about experiences of love, loss, and anxiety, and a tell-all autobiography
• The dependable support he has shared with his sister

We also hear two of Siyabonga’s poems.

Catch Siyabonga on:

LinkedIn: Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma

Facebook: Siyabonga Kwanele

Instagram: @siyabonga_kwanele_

Tik Tok: @siyabonga_kwanele

YouTube: Siyabonga Kwanele

X: Dankie_SirKwanel

In our next Community Advocacy Message, Kirsten de Klerk from SA Diabetes Advocacy discusses important Diabetes Advocacy Events taking place during National Diabetes Month.

Please participate in our listener polls and questions below!

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or contributions for future episodes, or if you'd like to advertise on this podcast, email us @ Podcast@CDEDiabetes.co.za

For health professionals working in diabetes

The CDE Academy Foundation Course in Diabetes Care for Health Professionals is a real-world-applicable online learning experience at one’s own pace. Access it 24/7/365 & earn 30 CPD points: https://academy.cdeonline.co.za/

Learna/University of South Wales offer a one-year, online, part-time, distance learning Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes Care. Sign up for a second year to earn an MSc in Diabetes. Gain a competitive edge and enhance your client care! Register @ ⁠https://www.diploma-msc.com/p/diploma-in-diabetes⁠