Pinetown Mother of Twins Battling Cancer Finds Unexpected Support from Employer and Donors

by Simbulele Jezile | May 23, 2025 | Campaign, Featured

Buhle Dlamini (38) from Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, is a devoted mother of four-year-old twins and a hardworking domestic worker who has spent years caring for others. But after being diagnosed with aggressive cervical cancer in February, she now faces her own fight—for her life and her children’s future.

A Mother’s Love, a Daily Fight

For Buhle, the struggle is not just physical—it’s deeply emotional. She now lives with constant discomfort, abnormal bleeding, and pain that sometimes makes it hard to walk. But she continues to work and care for her children, keeping much of her suffering to herself.

“I cry at night when no one can hear me,” she says softly. “I can handle the pain, but I can’t bear the thought of not seeing my children grow up. What will happen to them if I’m not here?”

Her twins, Ayabonga and Asbongi, are her whole world. Their laughter, their school songs, and even their sibling squabbles bring her pride.

“When they tell me about their friends or sing songs from school, I feel so proud,” she says. “Even when they’re naughty, I smile—it means they’re strong and happy.”

Despite her diagnosis, Buhle still gets up every morning to work. “I don’t have a choice,” she explains. “We’re a poor family. I need to keep going—for them.”

The Friend Who Stepped In

For the past five years, Buhle has worked for Trek Scale and in the home of Sherees Dalton, who has come to know Buhle not just as an employee, but as family.

“She’s become a sister—the sister I never had,” says Sherees. “We share our lives. We trust each other. When she told me what she was going through, I knew I couldn’t just stand by.”

With Buhle’s father also battling blood cancer, and little family support around her, the emotional and financial weight has been immense. “She carries so much on her own,” says Sherees. “And if Buhle isn’t here, her twins will be orphaned. That’s the reality.”

Wanting to do more than offer words, Sherees turned to action. She launched a BackaBuddy campaign—Miracles for Buhle—to raise R60,000 for the urgent medical treatment, surgery, and transport costs Buhle needs to start her recovery.

“She’s one of the most hardworking, honest people I’ve ever met,” Sherees says. “She works multiple jobs without complaint. But this isn’t something she can do alone—she needs a community to carry her now.”

A Life-Saving Campaign

Before any treatment can begin, Buhle needs a cone biopsy to determine how far the cancer has spread. From there, she may need a hysterectomy and further specialized care. But until the funds are raised, her journey is on hold.

So far, just over R3,000 has been raised from 16 generous donors. And while in need of further support, the messages and small acts of kindness are already making a difference.

“To the people who have donated—even R20—you’ve made me feel like I’m not alone,” says Buhle. “I can’t find the words to thank you.”

Her wish is simple: “I just want to live long enough to raise my children. That’s all I want. That’s what I’m fighting for.”

To support Buhle, visit her BackaBuddy campaign link here:

 https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/miracles-for-buhle

Hope Undivided: JJ Ritter’s Mission to Give CRPS a Voice

by Sanusha Shamdutt | May 22, 2025 | Campaign, Featured

In 2021, JJ Ritter’s life changed forever when he was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare and debilitating neurological condition often referred to as the “Suicide Disease” due to the unrelenting, excruciating pain it causes. According to the McGill Pain Index, CRPS ranks among the highest recorded pain levels—more intense than amputation or natural childbirth—with no known cure and limited treatment options. And yet, despite its severity, the condition is still often overlooked or dismissed, even within medical circles.

This lack of recognition adds a heavy emotional toll to an already devastating diagnosis. Many CRPS warriors, like JJ, find themselves isolated and misunderstood, navigating not only constant physical agony but also the emotional grief of losing the life they once knew. But in the midst of the pain and uncertainty, JJ chose to fight back—not just for himself, but for others.

At the six-month mark after his diagnosis, JJ’s spine specialist told him something that stuck with him: “The greatest defence or treatment against CRPS is knowledge.” That truth became JJ’s guiding light. As he learned more about his condition, its triggers, and how to live with it, he began to write. Not to escape the pain, but to give it a voice.

That voice became a book: Hope Undivided – Memoirs of an Ordinary Man Living with a Not So Ordinary Disease. It’s a raw, heartfelt account of JJ’s journey through suffering, resilience, and healing. It’s also a powerful tool for raising awareness about CRPS and invisible illnesses—particularly among those who feel unseen and unheard.

To bring this book to life, JJ has created a campaign on BackaBuddy with the goal of raising R50,000. The funds will support:

• Publishing and printing costs: including professional editing, cover design, layout, ISBN registration, and the initial print run
• CRPS awareness initiatives: tied to the book’s launch, including educational talks and outreach
• Translation and accessibility efforts: including audio versions for people living with disabilities
• Book distribution: to hospitals, doctors, and individuals who need it most
• Supporting his family: allowing JJ to remain present and mobile for his wife and two sons—his greatest reason to keep going

With the help of 6 generous donors, JJ has already raised over R5,000 toward his goal.

JJ’s dream is simple: to reach those who feel invisible. To let fellow warriors and their loved ones know they’re not alone. And to challenge the way society views chronic illness, masculinity, and pain. Through Hope Undivided, JJ wants to shift the narrative—from silence and stigma to truth, resilience, and hope.

“Having gone through what I have so far on this journey has taught me a lot—about what to expect, what to try, what to avoid, what to do, and what not to do. This is the kind of knowledge that saved me, and it’s the kind of knowledge I want to share.” – JJ Ritter

JJ plans to launch Hope Undivided this November in honour of CRPS Awareness Month.

If his story resonates with you—whether you’ve battled chronic pain, supported someone who has, or simply believe in the power of storytelling—you’re invited to be part of this journey.

Watch video here:

SOURCE: MyPR

The Last Rhinos of Lombardini: One Man’s Mission to Keep Them Safe

by Zane Groenewald | May 20, 2025 | Campaign, Featured

Eastern Cape, South Africa – In the quiet rural stretch between Patensie and Humansdorp, where citrus orchards roll into game reserves, lives a young conservationist whose life has been shaped by the heartbeat of the wild.

Justin Terblanche (27), affectionately known as the “Rhino Whisperer,” has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise R176,000 for a thermal drone that could be a crucial tool in the fight against rhino poaching.

His campaign, titled “Eyes in the Sky for Our Last Rhinos,” has already raised over R47,000 through the support of 37 donors — but there’s still a long way to go, and the urgency couldn’t be greater.

Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash, with Tiffany and Brittany. (Image credit: Joubert Grigor)

From boyhood wonder to boots-on-the-ground protector

Justin’s love for animals started long before he ever saw a rhino. Growing up in Patensie, he was the child who stopped to help injured birds or nursed stray animals back to health. That instinct only deepened with age.

“My early fascination with the natural world led me to a career in anti-poaching, where meeting my first rhino solidified my dedication to their survival. Now, as the co-founder of Rhino Whisperers NPC, I fight to ensure these majestic creatures can thrive in safety.

Our mission is to save the lives of these critically endangered creatures before they vanish forever. This isn’t just about saving a species — it’s about preserving a legacy. Rhinos play a vital role in their ecosystem, and their extinction would leave a gaping hole in the wild, one that can never be filled. If we don’t act now, future generations will never know the majesty of rhinos roaming free,” says Justin.

A bond built in silence, accepted into the crash

When Justin joined the anti-poaching unit at Lombardini Game Farm in the Kouga region, it was home to 19 rhinos. Years of relentless poaching and illness have reduced that number to just four: Amanda, the cautious matriarch; Brittany and Tiffany, inseparable best friends; and a young newcomer, Herbie.

Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Justin Terblanche)

“I saw what these gentle giants go through just for existing,” Justin shares. “Poachers don’t care about the suffering. They take what they want and leave death behind. That was it for me. I knew I had to give everything I had to keep them alive.”

But rhinos are wild and traumatised. They don’t trust easily — especially after witnessing the loss of their companions. Protecting them meant more than just patrolling the fences. Justin needed to be close enough to intervene — but for that to happen, they had to accept him.

So he stayed. He left his family and former life behind, moving into the bush to protect them.

“I started spending time out in the bush, far beyond my normal shifts — sometimes for days, sometimes weeks. I didn’t talk. I didn’t move too fast. I just stayed present,” he says.

It took a year and six months of patience, silence, and consistency before the turning point came. The rhinos began recognising him — not just visually, but by his scent, his voice, his energy. They stopped running. They started watching him with curiosity instead of fear.

“That’s when I knew,” he says. “I had been accepted into their crash. They had accepted me as one of their own.”

Pictured above: Justin Terblanche, the guardian of the crash. (Image Credit: Pierre Gerber)

From that moment, Justin became their protector from within. He can now walk beside them, monitor their movements, and respond immediately to any sign of danger. He’s learned their rhythms, moods, and quirks — their behaviours and personalities — like Amanda’s quiet watchfulness, Brittany’s playful nature, Tiffany’s loyalty, and Herbie’s youthful curiosity.

A species on the brink

Rhinos are being slaughtered at an alarming rate, with poachers driving these gentle giants towards extinction. In recent decades, their population has plummeted by more than 90%, and every loss brings the species closer to disappearing forever.

“At Rhino Whisperers, we are the last line of defence,” says Justin. “We risk everything to protect them, because if we don’t — no one will.”

Pictured above: Justin Terblanche and Amanda (Image Credit: Adri Krige)

Why a drone is critical for their survival

Despite these deep bonds, the threat of poaching — especially at night — remains constant. The farm receives no government support and relies entirely on donations. To close the surveillance gap and protect the rhinos during their most vulnerable hours, Justin is raising funds for a thermal drone.

“This drone will let us see what we can’t hear. It gives us eyes in the dark — and eyes in the sky,” he explains.

Supporters are invited to make once-off or monthly contributions via BackaBuddy and will receive updates on the rhinos’ well-being and campaign progress.

“Even just sharing our story helps. The more people who know Amanda, Brittany, Tiffany, and Herbie, the harder it becomes for the world to let them disappear.”

To support the campaign, visit:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/eyes-in-the-sky-for-our-last-rhinos

The campaign is hosted by Rhino Whisperers NPC, a registered non-profit. With BackaBuddy’s 0% platform fee for charities, more of each donation goes directly to the cause.

Watch the video here:

Keep an eye out for the upcoming documentary about Justin and his Rhinos, called ‘The Guardian of the Crash’.

Family Races to Help Artistic 5-Year-Old Hear the World Before Grade 1

by Simbulele Jezile | May 5, 2025 | Campaign, Featured

At just five years old, Caleb Alexander from Oudtshoorn has already walked a difficult road — from surgeries to correct club feet to recovering from facial burns as a toddler. Now, as he prepares to start Grade 1, his family faces a new challenge: helping Caleb overcome hearing loss that quietly shaped his early years in ways they didn’t fully understand until recently.

Despite everything, Caleb’s world is filled with colour and imagination. Known for his cheeky grin and endless creativity, he spends his days sketching vivid pictures, building elaborate LEGO creations, and acting out stories as a brave firefighter. But behind the laughter lies a deeper need: the ability to hear and connect with the world around him.

The Boy Who Sees the World in Colour

Even without many words, Caleb’s vibrant personality shines. He’s the artist of the family, drawn to colouring books and gifted with a unique sense of colour and creativity. 

“He’s our little artist,” says Nina-Rose Clarke, Caleb’s aunt and the creator of his BackaBuddy campaign. “He colours beautifully, builds for hours, and has a way of expressing joy that goes beyond words.”

Pictured above: Caleb Alexander (5)

When the family noticed delays in Caleb’s speech and social development, they arranged hearing tests for all three siblings due to a known family history. The results confirmed their fears: Caleb had been living with hearing loss since birth.

“Having the actual confirmation was difficult,” Nina-Rose says. “But we’re a family that believes in action, not despair.”

With limited audiology services in Oudtshoorn, even travelling to specialists has become a financial strain. And at such a pivotal age — where language blossoms, friendships form, and learning begins — time is of the essence.

A Family Bound by Love and Belief

Caleb, the middle of three brothers, is often described as the glue that holds the family together. He’s cheeky and full of mischief — always pulling funny faces or pretending to be a dog just to make someone laugh. He’s also remarkably independent, happily making his own bed, tidying up after himself, and always ready to help with the younger children in the family.

“His hearing loss doesn’t define him,” Nina-Rose says. “His kindness does.”

Pictured above: Caleb Alexander with his father Dean Alexander

In their close-knit, often noisy home, the family has learned to adapt. They take Caleb on quiet walks during gatherings to give him a break from overwhelming sounds and have developed new ways of communicating — using gestures, making eye contact, and repeating instructions patiently.

Sharing a birthday with Caleb, Nina-Rose has a special bond with him. She launched the campaign out of love and hope — hope that, with hearing aids, speech therapy, and the right support, Caleb will step into the classroom with confidence and into the future he deserves.

“These hearing aids will not just help him hear — they’ll help him learn, connect, and grow into the incredible person he already is.”

Hearing the World, One Gift at a Time

The family’s goal is to raise R30,000 to cover quality hearing aids, ongoing speech therapy, and regular trips to audiologists outside their hometown. In just 11 days, more than 36 donors have already contributed over R17,000 — a heartening reminder that even small actions can create real change.

“We are immensely thankful to each person who has donated, whether anonymously or by name,” says Nina-Rose. “And to those who took the time to share his story — you’ve reminded us that kindness still exists, even from strangers. That’s a powerful lesson for Caleb and his brothers: that the world is full of people who care.”

With every donation, the family feels a little more hopeful. “Whether it’s R10 or a social media share, it matters. It reminds us that Caleb’s story, though filled with challenges, can also be one of light.”

Pictured above: Caleb Alexander with his parents Dean and Denoliza Alexander

To support Caleb’s journey and help him start Grade 1 with confidence, visit his BackaBuddy campaign page:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-caleb-hear-the-world-before-grade-1