Getting the message out there
These radio interviews help us reach more people with our story. Have a listen below – it’s one of the ways we’re making sure no one’s left in the dark.
567 Cape Talk radio interviews
In this radio interview with Cape Talk‘s Abongile Nzelenzele, Amanda Seccombe, director of Eyes2Eyes, shared the story behind the “Music for Sight” fundraiser, a concert held at Aria Wine Estate featuring the Tygerberg Children’s Choir, the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra, and the Outeniqua Jazz Band.
Amanda explained how conditions like keratoconus damage the cornea – the front “window” of the eye – and why access to treatment remains out of reach for many South Africans. She also spoke about her own experience with corneal blindness and how it inspired her to found Eyes2Eyes in 2020.
“I’m living proof that the intervention works – and we want others to have that same chance.” – Amanda Seccombe
In this update on Lunch With Pippa Hudson, Amanda Seccombe returned to share the progress Eyes2Eyes has made since they first launched – and how the economic climate has pushed them to professionalise operations and restructure their fundraising strategy. The non-profit has now completed 23 sight rehabilitations, but over 90 patients remain on the waiting list at Groote Schuur Hospital alone.
Cessar Mshlala, joined the conversation. This 24-year-old was once unable to walk down stairs, drive, or study independently because of keratoconus, a degenerative condition affecting the cornea. After being referred to Eyes2Eyes, Cessar received scleral contact lenses that allowed him to regain his vision – and his independence.
“Now I do everything myself – going to the ATM, dressing myself, everything.” – Cessar Mshlala
In this follow-up interview with Lunch With Pippa Hudson, Amanda Seccombe, founder of Eyes2Eyes, shared the latest updates on the organisation’s work in the Western Cape.
Eyes2Eyes supports people living with preventable corneal blindness by helping them access accurate diagnoses, custom-fit scleral lenses, and specialised screenings that aren’t widely available in the public sector.
Amanda explained how her own diagnosis and treatment journey led her to create the non-profit with two friends. Their goal: to fill the gap in early detection and non-surgical intervention for corneal disease, especially in younger patients.
She also discussed their next milestone: securing a confocal microscope to support local screening and research, and expanding their lens-fitting programme. So far, 37 patients have received assessments, with 13 planned fittings by year-end.
“We’re still seeking vendors for the confocal microscope. If anyone is interested in supporting the tech side, we’d love to hear from them.” – Amanda Seccombe
In this interview with CapeTalk’s Lunch with Pippa Hudson, Amanda Seccombe shared her personal journey of losing and partially regaining her sight due to a rare condition called Acanthamoeba keratitis – a bacterial infection often linked to contact lens use and water exposure. The infection affected both of her eyes and led to extensive light sensitivity, pain, and vision loss.
Amanda explained how a friend, after listening to an interview on Cape Talk with Professor Derek Smith of Tygerberg Hospital, connected her to the right specialist. She was later diagnosed, treated with intensive eye drops, and underwent two cornea transplants. Amanda now relies on specialised scleral lenses, which she can wear for limited periods each day, to achieve functional vision.
Following her recovery, Amanda launched the nonprofit Eyes2Eyes to improve access to advanced eye care technologies, such as scleral lenses and confocal microscopes, for patients in public hospitals. The organisation aims to reduce preventable blindness in the Western Cape through better diagnosis, treatment, and support.
“Giving someone a cornea transplant but no lens is like doing half the job.” – Amanda Seccombe
Listeners were also reminded of the importance of proper contact lens hygiene, with Amanda’s experience offering a powerful cautionary tale.
In this podcast episode of A Gift of Life with host Pippa Hudson, Amanda Seccombe, recipient of two donated corneas, shared her story of losing her sight to Acanthamoeba keratitis and how organ and tissue donation transformed her life.
Amanda recounted how she experienced sudden, severe pain and rapid vision loss in late 2018, eventually being diagnosed with a rare corneal infection. After months of treatment and rehabilitation, she received two donated corneas from young donors in the USA, restoring her independence and enabling her to return to work and everyday life.
She also spoke about founding Eyes2Eyes, an NGO providing advanced scleral lenses for patients with corneal conditions who otherwise have limited options in South Africa. Amanda highlighted the ongoing challenges of raising awareness around cornea and organ donation and the importance of families discussing and registering as donors.
“Organ and tissue donation is dignified and life-giving. It’s a legacy – giving someone else a chance at life. Discuss it with loved ones. Sign up.” – Amanda Seccombe
Good Hope FM radio interview
In this episode of Disability 360 with Celest Anthony, Amanda Seccombe shares her personal experience of losing her sight in 2018 due to a rare bacterial infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, linked to water exposure while wearing contact lenses. The condition led to full blindness in both eyes and required corneal transplants and additional surgeries. Over a three-year recovery process, Amanda regained partial vision and now uses a custom scleral contact lens in her left eye, enabling up to 10 hours of functional sight per day.
Amanda also spoke about her rehabilitation journey with support from the Helen Keller Foundation, which provided assistive tools, white cane training, and voice command training for devices like phones and computers.
Her experience led her to found Eyes2Eyes, a nonprofit focused on helping others with corneal blindness through:
Free access to scleral lenses for patients at Groote Schuur Hospital
Fundraising for a Confocal Microscope, which enables early, non-invasive corneal screening
Raising awareness about assistive technology and access to care
Building community support, especially in underserved areas
“Eventually I made the decision that my story had to bring hope – especially for people who don’t even know where to start or what help is available.” – Amanda Seccombe
Radio Helderberg radio interview
In this interview with Johan Myburgh on Radio Helderberg, Amanda Seccombe recounts how a rare waterborne bacterial infection in 2018 caused full blindness in both her eyes. The infection, which developed under her contact lenses, destroyed both corneas and required two corneal transplants, followed by ongoing surgeries and visual rehabilitation.
Today, Amanda has around 10% vision in her right eye, and with the help of a custom scleral lens in her left eye, she’s able to drive and function independently for up to 10 hours a day.
Her experience inspired her to found Eyes2Eyes, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping others with corneal conditions access life-changing treatment.
Amanda also spoke about a current beneficiary, Aphelele Mene, a 24-year-old from Uitenhage who lost his vision due to keratoconus and trauma. Eyes2Eyes is working to raise funds for his first corneal transplant through a dedicated campaign on GivenGain.
“Many of the people on transplant waiting lists don’t have complex conditions – some could regain their sight within two weeks of surgery. We want to help make that happen.” – Amanda Seccombe