8 January 2025 by Monyane Khau

When 21-year-old Tšeliso Moroeng developed began experiencing pain in his left jaw in 2017, he thought it was just a minor toothache that would soon go away.

But little did Moroeng and his family in Quthing knew that this seemingly harmless toothache would escalate into a severe medical condition – ameloblastoma tumor.

Ameloblastoma is a rare, noncancerous (benign) tumor that typically begins in the jaw cells responsible for forming the protective enamel lining of teeth. The most common type of ameloblastoma is aggressive, often growing into the jawbone and forming a large tumor.

This aggressive nature of the tumor left Tšeliso Moroeng grappling with a visibly enlarged face for seven years, a challenge he carried until a chance encounter with businessman and politician Bothata Mahlala in August 2024 changed his life.

Mahlala generously covered the cost of Moroeng’s corrective surgery of approximately M120, 000, allowing him to undergo the procedure in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in December 2024.

Uncensored News spoke with Tšeliso Moroeng on January 7, 2025 over the phone, to hear about his remarkable recovery journey. Listen to his story by clicking the audio link below:

In the separate audio interview below, Mahlala shared that upon meeting Moroeng and his peers, he immediately noticed how the large tumor had impacted the young man’s confidence. Moved by his plight, he decided to step in without hesitation.