His diagnoses were in all likelihood connected to his former workplace as a mineworker, a job he worked for more than 13 years.
Macana was first diagnosed to have pneumonic tuberculosis (TB) at 29 years old, and a second time when he was 33 years, at the age of 37, Macana was still diagnosed with TB for a third time.
His first diagnosis was pulmonary TB. Seven months into the treatment, he was diagnosed with a dangerous form of TB called meningitis TB.
Tuberculous meningitis is substantially more harmful than the pulmonary strain as it shows that the bacteria has spread past the lungs, and infected the brain and spine
"I was hospitalised for nine months... It was difficult because I was isolated. Such isolation brought a lot of pressure on me. I could adhere to my treatment through the education provided to my family and friends. Each morning, I had to take about 24 pills," he said.
After his treatment was successful, David is now using his inspired story to preach to the world that there is hope in every situation.
Your mindset can set you free from any sicknesses if you believe.
"What your mind can conceive and live, it can achieve. Every one of us, if we can conceive a positive attitude in terms of TB, we can fight it," he spoke out.