South African DJ and television personality Lamiez Holworthy has given fans a deeply personal account of the medical emergency that recently left her fighting for her life, revealing that she suffered significant blood loss and has been forced to rethink the relentless pace of her career.
The Metro FM presenter opened up about the frightening experience in a Facebook post thanking family, friends, colleagues and supporters who prayed for her during what she described as some of the most difficult days of her life.
Holworthy said the ordeal had been “scary and painful beyond words” and revealed just how serious her condition had become.
“I nearly died. I nearly lost my life and probably would’ve if I wasn’t rushed to the hospital on Sunday,” she wrote.
Her comments came shortly after her management announced that she had been rushed to hospital and required emergency surgery. At the time, her representatives confirmed that her condition was stable and not life-threatening, while asking the public to respect her privacy.
Holworthy’s subsequent update, however, offered a more detailed account of what she experienced behind the scenes.
‘How I am able to type this is a miracle’
According to Holworthy, she lost a substantial amount of blood during the medical emergency, with her doctor reportedly considering a blood transfusion.
The entertainer described her body as having endured significant trauma since she was admitted to hospital and said she was grateful simply to be alive and able to share her experience.
Her recovery has also prompted her to reflect on how she balances her demanding career with her physical and emotional wellbeing.
For years, Holworthy has maintained a busy schedule spanning DJ performances, television work, radio and public appearances. The sudden health crisis appears to have forced her to confront the consequences of constantly pushing herself.
‘There is no honour in working yourself to death’
One of the strongest messages in Holworthy’s post was about learning to listen to her body.
She said the experience had taught her that there is no value in sacrificing one’s health in pursuit of professional success.
“The biggest lesson that I learnt? To listen to my body and that there is no honour in working yourself to death,” she wrote.
For Holworthy, the health scare appears to have shifted her perspective on what matters most.
She questioned the purpose of working relentlessly if doing so means being unable to enjoy the life that the work is supposed to provide.
The entertainer also reminded herself that, despite her public profile and professional responsibilities, she is human and cannot be expected to operate without limits.
She said her husband, parents, siblings, children and other loved ones deserve to have a healthier and happier version of her.
A decision to slow down
Holworthy confirmed that she is now back home after overcoming what she described as the worst part of the ordeal.
Rather than immediately returning to her busy schedule, she intends to give herself time to recover physically and emotionally.
The decision comes after management announced that her health emergency had forced her to cancel professional commitments scheduled for August 9 and 10.
Her representatives previously said affected clients and event organisers would be contacted and that postponed bookings would be rescheduled once Holworthy had received medical clearance.
For now, her recovery takes priority over her professional commitments.
Holworthy addresses body-shaming
Alongside her health update, Holworthy also addressed criticism surrounding a photograph of herself that she said had been used to body-shame her.
The DJ explained that the outfit in the photograph was worn deliberately as part of a broader conversation about body image and the pressure women often face to present themselves according to unrealistic standards.
She said she had spoken to an audience in Bloemfontein about embracing her body and being open about features such as cellulite and stretch marks.
“I gained weight and wasn’t going to try and hide it,” she said.
Rather than viewing changes in her body as something she needed to conceal, Holworthy said she wanted to show that she was a normal woman whose body, like many others, changes over time.
Her decision to address the criticism comes during a period when she is already physically vulnerable following her hospitalisation.
‘Women should not tear each other down’
Holworthy expressed disappointment that the photograph had allegedly been used to criticise or shame her, particularly while she was dealing with a serious medical crisis.
She questioned why women would choose to attack one another, especially during a period dedicated to celebrating and supporting women.
The comments also touched on the wider issue of social-media culture, where photographs can quickly be removed from their original context and used to fuel personal disputes.
For Holworthy, the experience appears to have reinforced the importance of choosing carefully which battles deserve her attention.
Choosing recovery over conflict
Despite the criticism, Holworthy said she did not want to spend her recovery engaging in further conflict.
She indicated that she was focusing instead on healing after the trauma her body had experienced.
Her message ended on a spiritual note, with Holworthy expressing gratitude for surviving the ordeal and acknowledging the role of her faith during the difficult period.
“Modimo o teng and ga nyake ka bana ba gagwe,” she wrote, expressing her belief that God is present and does not abandon His children.
She also extended words of healing to the woman involved in the dispute, saying she hoped she would find herself and God.
A reminder to slow down
Holworthy’s experience has brought a deeply personal dimension to conversations about burnout, work pressure and the expectations placed on women in the public eye.
The entertainment industry often demands long hours, travel, late nights and constant public visibility. For performers and media personalities, cancelling work can come with financial and professional consequences, making it difficult to slow down even when their bodies are signalling that something is wrong.
Holworthy’s decision to step back demonstrates that health can sometimes require difficult choices.
After surviving what she describes as a life-threatening emergency, her priority is now clear: recovery, family, faith and reconnecting with herself.
For the moment, the DJ is choosing to rest rather than rush back into the spotlight.
And after coming so close to losing her life, that may be the most important booking she has made — time to heal.
