Actress Sonia Mbele confirms battle with “life changing” chronic illness

South African actress Sonia Mbele has confirmed that she is suffering from anemia, an autoimmune disease that has forced her to miss several personal and professional commitments, including two court appearances for tax evasion charges.

Mbele and her fellow directors of Real Housewives of South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Yolisa Qunta and Rebone Sesing had been charged for contravening the Tax Administration Act.

Last week, the charges were waived after she paid a R41 000 admission fine.

In an interview with Zimoja, Mbele said she had struggled over the last few months because of her struggle with anemia, an autoimmune disease.

According to Mayo Clinic, an autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly damages healthy blood cells in your body causing your body to produce inadequate healthy red blood cells. She said she was diagnosed with the disease a few months ago.

“At the time I thought I was just fatigued until my doctors performed additional tests which confirmed that I have anemia that has gone chronic,” she said.

Mbele said the disease had been life-changing, as she had to reconfigure her life.

“I had to change my diet and eating habits, quit alcohol and I now have to go for drips to make sure I have enough iron,” she said.

Mbele said visits to doctors were now a regular part of her life.

“Sometimes additional tests or treatments for iron deficiency are necessary, especially if your doctor suspects that you’re bleeding internally. You can usually correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplementation,” she said.