THE BOY WHO NEVER GAVE UP - A Refugee's Epic Journey to Triumph

<p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In 1994 16-year-old Emmanuel Taban walked out of war-torn Sudan with nothing and nowhere to go after he had been tortured at the hands of government forces who falsely accused him of spying for the rebels. When he finally managed to escape he literally took a wrong turn and instead of being reunited with his family ended up in neighbouring Eritrea as a refugee.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Over the months that followed young Emmanuel went on a harrowing journey often spending weeks on the streets and facing many dangers. Relying on the generosity of strangers he made the long journey south to South Africa via Ethiopia Kenya Tanzania Mozambique and Zimbabwe travelling mostly by bus and on foot.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>When he reached Johannesburg 18 months after fleeing Sudan he was determined to resume his education. He managed to complete his schooling with the help of Catholic missionaries and entered medical school qualifying as a doctor and eventually specialising in pulmonology.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Emmanuel's skills and dedication as a physician and his stubborn refusal to be discouraged by setbacks led to an important discovery in the treatment of hypoxaemic COVID-19 patients. By never giving up this son of South Sudan has risen above extreme poverty racism and xenophobia to become a South African and African legend. This is his story.</span></p><p></p>