At just 19, Lerato Moletsane’s life changed in a way few people can imagine. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, she was faced with a difficult decision. The only way to stop the cancer from spreading was to amputate her leg. It was a life-altering moment, one that could easily have defined her future in terms of loss and limitation.
Instead, Lerato chose a different path. While the physical change was undeniable, she refused to let it determine who she would become. Her story is not centred on what she lost, but on how she rebuilt her life with purpose and determination. Rather than withdrawing, she leaned into life, finding new ways to pursue her goals and maintain her independence.
Today, Lerato and Relebohile Msiza – who survived the same cancer and is also an amputee – run a travel agency called Hope and Healing Travels. Their journeys shows that disability does not remove ambition or capability. It may change how things are done, but it does not take away the ability to succeed, grow, and create a meaningful life.
Her story challenges common assumptions about disability. Too often, it is viewed only through a lens of limitation. In reality, it is often a story of adaptation, resilience, and strength. Lerato’s experience highlights that people are capable of far more than they are often given credit for.
Ultimately, her journey is not just about surviving cancer. It is about choosing to live fully, even after life takes an unexpected turn.
