Central SA
Virginia SPCA rescuer regains sight after second eye operation─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:18 Mon, 07 Sep 2026
After successfully undergoing cataract surgery on both eyes, a Virginia SPCA field officer is looking forward to getting back out into the field and doing what he loves most: rescuing animals.
Peter Kamwaza, who has spent 18 years helping animals in need, said his restored vision has given him renewed hope and excitement as he prepares to return to the work he feared he might have to leave behind. Kamwaza underwent his second eye surgery in mid-August, and it was a success.
The intervention came after the Virginia SPCA appealed to the community for assistance with Kamwaza’s cataract surgery, with supporters raising R66,600, significantly more than the original R36,000 target.
The funds were raised in response to concerns that his deteriorating eyesight could prevent him from continuing his work as a field officer. However, the organisation later received a lifeline when Free State MEC Elzabe Rockman pledged to assist in having Kamwaza’s procedure done through Bongani Regional Hospital and Mediclinic Day Hospital at no cost to the Virginia SPCA.
The intervention brought together medical professionals and healthcare teams who helped ensure that the long-serving animal rescuer could receive the treatment he needed.
“I want to thank all the people who stood by me and supported me with my eye operation,” said Kamwaza. “Without you, I had nothing. Now I’m fine. I can see far, and you can see how happy I am now.
“I’m very happy to have my sight back because now I can see properly and I can get back to doing the work I love. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me. You gave me the chance to see again and continue helping the animals.”
The organisation said Kamwaza had initially kept his deteriorating eyesight to himself because he feared becoming a burden and losing the ability to work with animals. Kamwaza previously described his fear of losing his ability to work with animals as one of the most difficult aspects of his deteriorating eyesight.
“I’ve been working at the SPCA for a long time, and I love the animals so much. They are like my babies, and caring for them means everything to me. I was scared that I was going to lose my ability to work with the animals because I couldn’t see properly, and that was what frightened me the most.”
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