The life of a handsome young man has changed dramatically in a few years. This is the story of Mr Edward Khangale, 35, of Mangondi outside Thohoyandou.

The photogenic young man, whom no girl could resist, has turned into an ogre. This is all because a big lump has developed on his chin.

"Help me regain my former appearance," is the man’s cry to members of the community who might know how to help him. He told Mirror that it all started in 1998 when he used a razor. "Like any young man, I was excited when I developed beard. It showed that I was maturing as a man," he said.

But to his dismay, hair started to grow all over his cheeks and when he tried to use a razor, pimples developed all over. "I used to squeeze them away but they appeared again and bigger than the first time," he said.

On top of that, blood would flow from the pimples.

"When I consulted doctors, I was only given pain killers. The pain would subside for few days and then everything would be back to square one," he said.

Some people suggested a specialist but this was not affordable by this man who is just working as a labourer and has a hand-to-mouth existence. "Since no one understands the pain I am going through, I have even lost the will to live,’ he said.

"When it is hot, it aches to the extent that I feel I would rather be dead than alive as the pain becomes unbearable," he said.

He is ignored by his former classmates when he meets them in town. "I do not blame them. Most of the people who knew me are failing to recognise the new me."

Wherever he goes, people stare at him. "Please help me regain my dignity. For people to stare at me is quite dehumanizing. I am tired of carrying a washing rag all the time to wipe blood from my cheeks," he said.

He looks at the past with fondness and nostalgia. "I used be the envy of my peers - a handsome young man who was so photogenic. Girls envied those who were in my company. But all that is past tense," he said.

If there is anyone who needs help badly, it is this man whose life has been plunged into turmoil.

Khangale is married with two children. His wife Julia says life is tough. "I have a problem because of the smell. I wish someone could help my husband," she said.

She added that members of the family identified some traditional healers who would help her husband but he refused.

"That was before it became very serious but now my husband cannot choose where help comes from," she says.

It is clear that a quirk of fate has dealt a hammer blow to the lives of these young couple.

Anyone willing to help can contact Edward at: 083 897 7111.