WATCH: Joost's dream becomes reality as clinic opens in Soweto

The dream of rugby giant Joost van der Westhuizen finally came true thanks to people who rallied behind him in his battle against motor neuron disease (MND), his brother Pieter van Westhuizen said Friday. shortly after the opening Friday of the Van der Westhuizen Neurodegeneration Center at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

"It's a great honor for us: one of Joost's dreams came true with a lot of hard work and people who stood behind him and realized his dream," he said. Pieter. initiative was Gauteng MEC for Health Gwen Ramokgopa and MEC for Sports, Art, Culture and Leisure Faith Mazibuko.

Van der Westhuizen lost his fight against motor neuron disease in February 2017. Former Springbok, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2011, is widely regarded as attracting the attention of the South African public on MND.

Van der Westhuizen played 89 tests for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003.

"It's very hard to lose someone, it keeps a hole in your heart, but everyone has to keep going and we continue day in and day out."

Pieter says families in a similar trip should always remain positive

"This is not easy, it is very difficult, treat the person who is crossing it with love, make memories as far as possible."

^{Joost's parents van der Westhuizen, Gustav and Mariana, at the launch of the Van der Westhuizen Neurodegeneration Center at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. (Felix Dlangmandla / Netwerk24)}

Head of Department of Neurology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Professor André Mochan, who previously worked with Van der Westhuizen, described the disease as "one of the worst diseases that has ever been granted to humanity, it is not a common disease".

He said that the disease affects the way whole life of a person and their families.

He added that they were now providing a platform for patients.However, as doctors "we can not cure the disease, we can not stop the progression, but at least we can accompany them along the way in the best possible way to facilitate progression. "

is the first of its kind in Gauteng, with two sister clinics in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, Ramokgopa thanked the family for "sharing" Joost with the country.

"He is actually a South African hero, he remains a hero in terms of giving us hope," she said. Keep up to date with the latest news by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter

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