When Andrew Jacobs was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, his family’s life changed forever. Among those who stepped in to help was his son-in-law, Monwabisa “Aron” Siswane, a dedicated traffic officer from Worcester. What began as a professional acquaintance in 2016 soon grew into a deeply personal journey of care and support.
Monwabisa first met Mr Andrew Jacobs in 2016 while working at the Provincial Traffic Station. Years later, his connection to Mr Jacobs deepened when he began dating Mr Jacob’s daughter, Thaillia, in 2023. By then, Mr Jacob was living with MND, and Monwabisa quickly stepped into a caring role alongside the family.
When Monwabisa entered their lives, Mr Jacob could still walk slowly and speak, but his condition gradually worsened. The family worked together to ensure his comfort and dignity. One of Monwabisa’s fondest memories is the independence Mr Jacob found after receiving his wheelchair. With determination, Mr Jacob once wheeled himself 2.5km to the mall. He returned home sunburned and exhausted, but proud of his effort. Monwabisa recalls supporting him with transport, helping to make his daily life easier, while always admiring the unwavering support Mr Jacob received from his family.
As Mr Jacob’s illness progressed, moments of care became especially meaningful.
Monwabisa remembered taking him to the hospital one night and seeing in his eyes how tired he was. Pushing Mr Jacob in his heavy wheelchair through the hospital corridors, Monwabisa felt grateful to be able to ease his burden in those final days.
After Mr Jacob’s passing, Monwabisa felt a deep calling to continue supporting others affected by MND. In Mr Jacob’s room, he found a piece of paper with the words “Fight back” written on it. That simple message became a source of inspiration. Seeing how Mr Jacob’s efforts to secure his family’s future were sometimes misunderstood by others, Monwabisa realised how important it was to raise awareness and educate the public about MND.
Reflecting on his journey, Monwabisa says the greatest lesson he has learned is that kindness does not require money. “You just need to show love, care for others, and make them smile without wanting anything in return.” His story is a powerful reminder of how compassion and service can make a difference in the lives of those facing difficult times.