Siyanda Mwelase, a 29-year-old from KwaMashu in Durban, better known as Siyanda Peterson on TikTok, has deeply impacted thousands with his inspiring and educational content detailing his journey of surviving cancer. Despite battling cancer last year and emerging victorious, Siyanda now finds himself facing the disease again. Yet, his resilience and triumph continue to serve as an emblem of strength, especially for youth grappling with illnesses.
Last year, in June, Siyanda received the devastating diagnosis of stage 2 colon cancer. Despite the initial shock, he faced the challenge head-on, undergoing weeks of rigorous treatment. His unwavering determination and the support of his medical team brought in the incredible news that he was declared cancer-free.
However, Siyanda’s journey took an unexpected turn when he found himself back in the hospital this year. Tests revealed that cancer had returned, this time more aggressively, necessitating a gruelling regimen of chemotherapy.
“Yoh, to be honest, when I heard it came back, I was gutted,” Siyanda shares. “I never expected it to return, you know? I thought I had it beat once and for all, but sadly, that’s not the case.”
As a social media influencer, Siyanda’s platform became a medium of education and inspiration. Through candid videos documenting his chemotherapy sessions and the profound impact of the disease on his life, Siyanda garnered widespread attention, even catching the eye of celebrities like Somizi Mhlongo, who lent their support.
“You know, one thing I’ve realised is that my social media community has really come through for me,” Siyanda acknowledges. “They’ve been incredibly supportive ever since I shared my diagnosis, and I can’t forget to mention my family—their support has been absolutely amazing.”
Despite the triumph of previously conquering cancer, Siyanda faces a new battle. The financial strain of medical expenses weighs heavily, threatening to overshadow his past victories. Now, Siyanda seeks the support of the community that has stood by him, appealing for assistance in securing the funds needed to continue his treatment and recovery.
“We fought this battle together, and I’m grateful for every ounce of support,” Siyanda expresses. “Now, I ask for your help once more as I embark on this next chapter of my journey. Together, we can overcome any obstacle.”
To help overcome the financial burden, Siyanda launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to cover his ongoing medical expenses as he continues his battle against cancer.
With a fundraising target of R35,500 to cover his Lancet Laboratories and Ampath Lab debt, the community rallies behind Siyanda by raising over R3,000 thus far from 18 donors.
“To be honest, I hesitated to even start the BackaBuddy campaign after being encouraged by my followers,” Siyanda admits. “But the outpouring of support has been truly uplifting. ‘Thank you’ doesn’t feel sufficient for those who have shown love and generosity from afar. I’m deeply appreciative and humbled by everyone’s support, and grateful to have such people backing me.”
To support Siyanda, visit his BackaBuddy campaign link here:
Join NPO Trulifein their mission to eradicate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from South African schools. From 15th of May 2024 – to the 24th of May 2024, passionate individuals from the Reddam House Berkshire in the UK are taking part in the “We See You” Challenge, running 100 kilometers in 10 days to raise crucial funds.
Their Goal:
The primary objective of this initiative is to sponsor GBV workshops in 120 schools across KZN. Through education and empowerment, they aim to equip youth and communities with the tools to address and eliminate GBV.
How You Can Help:
Your contributions directly support this vital initiative. Together, we can make a tangible difference and create safer environments for all individuals.
We are excited to announce that Catherine Du Plooy, our Chief Growth Officer, alongside Malvern Mhlanga, Co-Founder & Head of Partnership and Development of Giving Back Fundraising, will be participating as panellists at the upcoming exclusive one-day event – the 2024 IFC Cape Town Pop-Up!
The conference, a collaboration between The Resource Alliance and Relatomics Foundation, promises a day of enriching discussions and networking opportunities for individuals and organisations alike.
Date: June 6th, from 8:30 to 16:30, followed by a mocktail mixer Â
Prepare to immerse yourself in a dual-track event featuring a diverse range of sessions led by top fundraising experts from South Africa and across the globe.
Whether you’re eager to explore innovative fundraising strategies or sharpen your leadership skills, the IFC Cape Town Pop-Up caters to all. With sessions covering topics such as B-BBEE, Corporate Partnerships, Artificial Intelligence, Impact Investing, Major Donors, Nonprofit Communications, and more, there’s something for everyone.
As part of the panel, Catherine, will share practical strategies and insights on growing individual giving for organisations, addressing common challenges and pitfalls encountered in the South African context. Her expertise and experience in fundraising will undoubtedly provide attendees with actionable takeaways to strengthen their fundraising efforts.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your fundraising endeavours in 2024. Register now to secure your spot at the 2024 IFC Cape Town Pop-Up and join Catherine and other industry leaders for a day of enlightenment, collaboration, and empowerment.
At BackaBuddy, we are dedicated to empowering individuals to create positive change in the world, and our team embodies this commitment each day.
Meet Husain Badroodeen (31), BackaBuddy’s Data Science Lead for the last 5 years who lives in Crawford, Cape Town, and his cousin Irshaad Arieff (32), a Chartered Accountant, who are on a mission to transform the lives of vulnerable children. Their goal is to secure a school bus for the 30 children under Solomon Madikane’s care at Realistic Child and Youth Care Centre (RCYCC) in Athlone, Cape Town.
Image Caption: Irshaad (32), Solomon (52) and Husain (31)
Irshaad and Husain found themselves drawn to the RCYCC in December 2022. Irshaad, having lost his father at a tender age, had always felt a calling to support orphans. When he discovered the challenges faced by the RCYCC, particularly in transporting children to school with only a small car available, he knew he had to act.Â
“I believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to live out and fulfill their dreams,” Irshaad shared. “And this is just one step towards changing the lives of many children at Realistic.”
With a vision of providing every child with equal opportunities, Irshaad reached out to his friend Husain, knowing he shares his passion for making the world in both his personal and professional capacity, who eagerly joined the cause.
Image Caption: Children at RCYCC
RCYCC: Nurturing Dreams Amidst Challenges
RCYCC has been a pillar of support for vulnerable children for over two decades, offering residential care and a nurturing environment. Founded in 2004 by Solomon Madikane, the center has taken over from St Francis Children’s Home to continue and improve on the work done to guarantee proper care for vulnerable children, providing residential care for up to 42 children.
Solomon Madikane is a man who wears many hats, one of those hats being his experience and passion in youth development work to residential care for vulnerable children. He has spent more than 15 years combating the challenges of recidivism, substance misuse, and social crime. Solomon works with young South Africans to free them from a cycle of drugs, crime and imprisonment.
However, the lack of transportation has been a significant barrier to the children’s education and opportunities.
Image Caption: Current transportation at RCYCC
Campaign for Change: Empowering the Next Generation
To address this issue, Irshaad and Husain launched a crowdfunding campaign to provide RCYCC with a much-needed school bus, enabling consistent access to education and other enriching experiences for the children.
“The school bus will make a huge difference in the daily lives and the future ambitions at Realistic. They will be able to confidently know that they have their bus taking them to school and extracurricular activities which they don’t have access to at the moment. They will also then be able to go on excursions and activities by themselves as an orphanage and organize fun events for these kids to explore in Cape Town and widen their horizons,” Husain explained.
Image Caption: Children at RCYCC
The campaign has already gained momentum, raising over R12 200 with generous support of 15 donors contributing towards the fundraising target of R550,000. Every donation brings RCYCC closer to acquiring the school bus and ensuring a brighter future for the children.
“I would like to thank those who are considering contributing and highlight the everlasting benefit this will bring to the lives of the orphans and society at large. Contributing to this campaign will allow all the children at Realistic and future children to travel safely to school and make it easier to realize their dreams. We are helping the future leaders of South Africa with their educational aspirations so that they may make South Africa a better place,” Husain expressed gratefully.
To support RCYCC, visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here:Â
One-year-old Aria Payton Botha, a little warrior from the South Coast of Durban, KwaZulu Natal, is battling severe hearing loss in both ears and could potentially receive the gift of sound for the first time through a cochlear implant in the next three months. With the unwavering support of her family and community, her parents aim to raise funds for this life-changing operation through a BackaBuddy campaign.
Aria’s mother, Meghan (35), describes her as a fiery, independent, and lively little girl, whose spirit shines brightly even in the face of challenges. “Nothing stops this little girl,” Meghan beams with pride, “she is the epitome of an absolute warrior princess.”
Despite her hearing impairment, Aria finds joy in simple pleasures like car rides and playing outdoors. Her infectious spirit inspires hope and strength in those around her.
Caption Image: Baby Aria at 12 Months Old
Aria’s arrival was not without its trials. After experiencing the heartbreak of two back-to-back miscarriages, Meghan and her husband Nick (39) found renewed hope when they learned of Aria’s impending arrival. Aria, as Meghan fondly recalls, brought a sense of joy and anticipation that filled their hearts with newfound hope.
But joy turned to concern when, shortly after her birth, it became evident that Aria was facing hearing impairment. Despite the initial setbacks and inconclusive test results, Meghan’s maternal instinct urged her to seek answers and solutions for her daughter’s well-being.
After consulting with an ENT specialist, it was confirmed that Aria had severe hearing loss in both ears, a diagnosis that shattered Meghan’s heart. However, her resolve remained unbroken as she vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure Aria’s quality of life.
Caption Image: Baby Aria at 11-months-old
The journey to explore treatment options led Meghan and her family down a path filled with uncertainty but also with unwavering determination.
“I feel our family has become closed and we have seen sides to our boys that we didn’t even know existed. My eldest (17) came home the other day and told me that he had spoken to his principal to see if their school could do a fundraiser because we absolutely have to get Aria her implants … I teared up right there!” says Meghan.
In response to the urgent need for medical assistance, Meghan initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. With a fundraising target of R200,000 to cover surgery, implants, and therapy appointments, the community rallies behind Aria’s by raising over R20 000 thus far from 24 donors.
Meghan reflects on the overwhelming response from their community, saying, “To say that we have been overwhelmed by the love and support is an understatement.”
The campaign, fueled by compassion and generosity, has garnered support from far and wide, bringing them closer to their fundraising target with each passing day. As the campaign continues to gain momentum, Meghan remains grateful for every donation, every share, and every word of encouragement.
“I could absolutely never express in words the amount of gratitude that I have for everyone who has helped in some way,” she says tearfully, “if I ever had the money available to pay it forward, I could assure you that another child would receive their cochlear implants just like Aria is going to.”
Caption Image: Baby Aria at 13 months old
Update on her progress:
On the 11th of March 2024, Aria underwent a significant milestone in her journey toward hearing restoration. Accompanied by her family, she visited
the audiologist to have her hearing aids fitted. As the devices were turned on, Aria’s reaction was immediate and emotional, shedding tears in response to the unfamiliar sensation. The audiologist noted that while this reaction does not conclusively indicate Aria’s ability to hear, it suggests sensitivity to vibrations in her ears.
However, this reaction also provides encouraging insights into Aria’s condition. The audiologist remarked that her response indicates the absence of damage to her cochlea or nerves, a crucial factor for potential candidacy for Cochlear implants. This news brings relief to Aria’s family, as it opens up possibilities for her future treatment.
Our little Aria was fitted with hearing aids today. Not all reactions are smiles and joy sometimes the feeling is overwhelmed and scared 💔 What we know from this visit is that her nerves are in tact and her cochlear is functions. We dont know what sound she is hearing and the depth of the sound, it may even just be vibrations. Check in with the audiologist in 2 weeks ❤️❤️
