‘Only death could have freed me from trauma’: Sbahle Mpisane reflects on near-fatal crash and ‘moon boot’ criticism

Posting on Instagram, Mpisane shared screenshots of negative comments from X, some accusing her of using the boot, commonly known as a “moon boot”, as a fashion statement. “It’s truly saddening that people always seem to have something negative to say,” she wrote. “Am I supposed to be ungrateful for surviving, considering that only death could have freed me from trauma, negativity, and my permanent injury?” Mpisane clarified that she wears the moon boot to protect her spine, not because she cannot walk.

“I am permanently injured; I do not have an ankle bone on my right foot,” she added. She said she was fortunate to avoid amputation following the crash. “I’m very fortunate that my leg didn’t have to be amputated,” she said, adding she was “blessed to have two feet and ten toes today”. Speaking about her healing journey, Mpisane said she had to relearn how to walk two years after the accident while adapting to life with amnesia.