President Jacob Zuma has described meeting Ms Ontlametse Phalatse, one of the two South African young women living with Progeria, as very special and a great honour.

Ms Phalatse paid a courtesy call on the President at his Mahlamba Ndlopfu residence in Pretoria today, 23 March 2017.

Progeria is an extremely rare genetic disorder in which symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at a very early age.

17 year old Ms Phalatse described meeting President as the highest honour and a fulfillment of one of her wishes, describing him as “warm, kind and easy to talk to.”

“She is indeed a very special guest and I’m pleased to have met her. She’s very sharp and articulate. We have discussed many things relating to her rare genetic disorder and undertaken to assist her in some of the wishes she has related to me,” said President Zuma.

The courtesy call was on her wishlist and that she wanted to meet the President before her 18th birthday on Saturday, 25 March 2017.

The other wishes included a home of her own and transport for her special needs as well as improved medical care.

The President committed the Jacob G Zuma Foundation to working with her Ontlametse Phalatse Trust to assist her, and that he would also speak to relevant Government departments as she is a “special child of South Africa.”

President Zuma presented Miss Phalatse with a birthday cake as well as a bouquet of flowers.

Ontlametse was accompanied by her mother, Bellone Phalatse, Adv Bonginkosi Ngubane, a Trustee of the Ontlametse Phalatse Trust and her guardian Dr Babalwa Funda kaMabhoza.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa