The founder of Beka & Co and a victim of lupus, Thembeka Magaga Mokhalinyane, will host a warrior brunch on 10 May in Maseru to celebrate strength and resilience beyond the disease.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. It can affect different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and internal organs, and it presents differently for each person. Ninety percent of people living with lupus are women.
Magaga said people with lupus present as ‘fine’ because they look okay since it is an invisible illness yet many of them are managing pain, fatigue and other symptoms that are not always visible.
“We sometimes have flare days when we feel extreme fatigue, joint pain and emotional exhaustion,” she noted.
“On those days, I prioritise rest, listen to my body and allow myself to slow down without guilt,” Magaga told theReporter in an interview.
She said managing lupus is as much about mental strength as it is about physical care.
By hosting this Lupus brunch, she wanted to create a safe, supportive space where people living with the condition could feel seen, heard and understood.
She indicated that there is a gap in awareness and community support and this brunch is a step toward closing it.
The event is for lupus warriors, caregivers, and allies, Magaga pointed out, stressing that lupus does not only affect the individual; it impacts families, relationships and communities.
“This event is about bringing everyone together,” she indicated.
The brunch combines education from healthcare and wellness professionals, emotional support through shared experiences, and awareness-building to strengthen long-term advocacy efforts.
Magaga said she is mostly excited about shared conversations, those real, honest moments where people will realise they are not alone in what they are going through.
Having the community would be incredibly important, since living with lupus can feel isolating, and having a support system makes a significant difference in how one copes, heals, and navigates the journey.
Magaga also wants victims to leave with hope, knowledge and a sense of belonging, and most importantly, to know that their life is not over since they can still live fully, just differently.
She was diagnosed with lupus in May last year after experiencing a series of unexplained symptoms that affected her daily life.
“The moment was overwhelming. It came with fear, confusion, and a lot of uncertainty. At the same time, it was also a turning point because I finally had answers and could begin to understand what my body was going through,” she explained.
Magaga added that events like this are critical in raising awareness, educating the public, and starting conversations that can lead to better understanding, earlier diagnosis and ultimately stronger advocacy for support and research.
Most people with lupus develop the disease between the ages of 15-44. It has no known cure, but manageable with treatments like hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressants to control flares.
