Johannesburg, South Africa — After more than a decade in the pool and five years of increasingly serious competitive training, 21-year-old Johannesburg swimmer Lorenzo Cazzavillan has qualified to compete at the 12th World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal, from 30 October to 7 November 2026.
Lorenzo has Down syndrome and will travel as part of a South African team entered through DISO South Africa.
A BackaBuddy campaign, Lorenzo 12th World Down Syndrome Championship, has been launched to raise R150,000 towards the cost of getting him to Portugal.
For his father, Max Cazzavillan, one point matters above all others.
Lorenzo did not receive a courtesy invitation. He earned his place.
“He’s got three qualifying A times and one qualifying B time,” Max says. “He’s put a lot of work into it, and I think he’s reaping the rewards.”
From learning to swim to qualifying for the world stage
Lorenzo’s relationship with swimming began when he was very young.
Max first took him to swimming lessons so that he would be safe around water. Later, at Casa do Sol School for Special Education, swimming formed part of the school programme and a teacher noticed how much he enjoyed it.
When Lorenzo was around nine or ten years old, the family was encouraged to take his swimming beyond school.
The shift into competitive swimming came later when Lorenzo moved into the Mandeville Dolphins environment, where his training became more structured and he became part of a squad.
Over the past five years, Max says the progress has been significant.
Lorenzo began competing more seriously, represented Gauteng at SASA II/DS events and gradually improved his times to the point where he met the qualification standards for the World Championships.
“I’m very proud of him,” Max says. “He’s the one that’s put the work in. Yes, I’ve taken him to training and changed certain things to help him improve, but at the end of the day, he’s put the work in.”
Recent performances show the work is paying off
Lorenzo’s qualification follows a run of strong performances.
Over the past three years, he has represented Gauteng at the SASA II/DS National Games and has earned multiple medals across different events.
More recently, he won silver in the 100m at the Special Olympics National Games.
He also competed at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg, swimming in the multi-class category against some of the country’s top swimmers.
Max says Lorenzo recorded his fastest 100m freestyle time at that event.
“To watch him achieve the times that he achieved shows that the training is starting to pay off,” Max says. “What he’s putting in at training is now translating into success at big events.”
A world championship — but no automatic funding
Although Lorenzo has qualified for the World Championships, the trip is not funded.
Max says the South African team travelling to Portugal has not been endorsed by Swimming South Africa or SASCOC, meaning the athletes are not receiving official national colours or automatic financial backing.
Lorenzo is instead travelling through DISO South Africa, which is sending a team to the championships.
For Max, that distinction has been difficult.
“He’s got three qualifying A times, and it’s not easy for him to get to those times,” he says. “He consistently swims under those A qualifying times, yet we cannot get the team endorsed.”
The costs add up quickly.
Flights, accommodation, competition fees, travel and specialised racing gear all need to be covered by the family.
Max says even an entry-level racing suit can cost around R6,500, which is why he has also approached individuals and brands for practical sponsorship support.
More than a swimming trip
Portugal will also be Lorenzo’s first trip overseas.
He has flown domestically before, but has never travelled to another country.
For Max, that makes the opportunity about much more than race times.
“I think for Lorenzo it’s an opportunity to grow,” he says. “It’s going to be his first overseas trip. He’s never experienced the culture of another country, and he’s never had the opportunity to spend time with Down syndrome athletes from all over the world.”
The athletes will stay together in a dedicated village environment throughout the championships.
Max hopes Lorenzo will use the experience to learn from other swimmers, make friends and come home with a stronger sense of what is possible.
“It’s like a massive family,” he says. “We’re going to be there for eight days with people connected through Down syndrome and sport.”
The people behind him
More than 50 people have already supported Lorenzo’s campaign, including members of Max’s running club, parents from Mandeville Dolphins and people Lorenzo has met through competitions.
Max says the response has been deeply humbling.
“There are people who know him, people who don’t know him very well but have met him, and people who know of him through other people who have contributed,” he says. “It makes you realise there are really, really good people out there.”
He says that support gives Lorenzo another reason to make the most of the opportunity.
“He carries all those people on his shoulders because of the contributions they’ve made,” Max says. “You want him to go there, really shine, embrace the environment and learn from the other swimmers.”
A bigger issue for para and Down syndrome sport
For Max, Lorenzo’s campaign has also highlighted how difficult it can be for athletes outside mainstream sporting structures to fund international competition.
He says athletes with Down syndrome often put in the same hours and discipline as other elite swimmers, but their achievements can be misunderstood or overlooked.
“I get the feeling a lot of people think he was invited,” Max says. “They don’t realise he qualified. For him to get to those times, it’s taken him five years.”
That is part of why he believes crowdfunding matters.
“I think crowdfunding is massive in helping sports that are not recognised or are not mainstream, so these athletes can realise their dreams as well,” he says.
Max hopes Lorenzo’s journey can also encourage other parents of children with Down syndrome to pursue opportunities in sport.
“Just because your child has Down syndrome doesn’t mean they can’t achieve,” he says. “There are avenues for them to be recognised for their talent.”
For Lorenzo, the next milestone is clear.
He has done the training.
He has achieved the qualifying times.
He has earned his place.
Now the remaining challenge is raising enough money to get him to the starting block in Portugal.
To support Lorenzo 12th World Down Syndrome Championship, visit the campaign page.
South Africa — “My deepest condolences” is often the first thing we say when someone loses a loved one. But across South Africa, more people are also asking what comes next: How can I actually help?
That question is increasingly being answered through practical acts of support. Friends, colleagues, neighbours and sometimes complete strangers are helping with meals, school runs, transport, household expenses and, where needed, community fundraising.
In 2026, 351 campaigns linked to bereavement, funeral support or families affected by sudden loss were launched, raising more than R5.8 million from almost 10 000 donors.
Those figures would add context to a pattern already visible in several widely supported campaigns, where people have responded to difficult circumstances by finding practical ways to ease the pressure on families.
After the Malan family’s devastating road accident, hundreds of thousands of rand were raised towards medical and rehabilitation costs, funeral expenses and immediate family needs.
In another widely supported case, thousands of people contributed to the family of MultiChoice security officer David Sejobe following his death.
The stories behind these campaigns are difficult, but the response to them is about more than grief. They show how people are turning sympathy into practical support and asking a simple question many of us have faced: what actually helps when someone is going through loss?
Start With What Would Actually Help
“Let me know if you need anything” is usually said with the best intentions, but it can still leave the person who is grieving with the responsibility of deciding what they need and asking for it.
Offering something specific can make support easier to accept. That might mean preparing a meal, helping with a school run, arranging transport, assisting with paperwork or asking whether there is one practical responsibility that can be taken off the family’s plate that week.
Financial support can also be useful where there are funeral expenses, medical bills, school costs, rent or a sudden loss of household income, but the best support is the kind that responds to what the family genuinely needs.
If You Want to Start a Fundraiser, Speak to the Family First
When friends, colleagues or neighbours want to rally around a family, a fundraiser can be one way of helping, but the family should be part of that decision from the start.
Before sharing photographs, personal information or details about the circumstances of a death, speak to the immediate family or an appropriate representative. Some families may welcome wider support, while others may prefer to keep certain details private.
Consent matters, particularly where children are involved or where the circumstances surrounding a death are sensitive.
The aim should always be to make things easier for the family, not to add another layer of pressure.
Generosity Is Bigger Than Money
Not everyone is able to donate, and some of the most useful forms of support cost very little.
Helping with groceries, collecting children from school, looking after a pet, assisting with paperwork or checking in once the first rush of messages has passed can all make a meaningful difference.
The days immediately after a loss often bring a great deal of support, while the weeks that follow can become much quieter. That is often when a simple message, a meal or an offer of practical help can mean the most.
Generosity after grief is therefore bigger than fundraising. It is about finding respectful, useful ways to show up for people when they may not know how to ask for help themselves.
“My deepest condolences” will always matter, but sometimes the most meaningful thing we can say next is:
Cape Town, South Africa — In classrooms across South Africa, teachers are expected to do more than teach.
They are often asked to support learners facing trauma, poverty, violence, anxiety, barriers to learning and emotional distress, while also carrying the pressure of large classes, academic outcomes, administrative demands and their own wellbeing.
For many teachers, the weight has become too heavy.
The Difference Institute, a Cape Town-based organisation focused on teacher wellbeing and learner support, has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to help sponsor teachers to attend creative, play-based and experiential workshops designed to strengthen emotional regulation, trauma-informed teaching and inclusive classroom practice.
The campaign, The Difference Institute, has raised R14,000, reaching around 47% of its R30,000 goal, with support from 17 donors.
The campaign hopes to raise enough to support 100 teachers in 100 days, reaching at least 3,500 learners through the adults who spend their days guiding, teaching and caring for them.
Teachers Are Carrying More Than The Curriculum
In South Africa, many public school teachers interact with anywhere from 35 to more than 300 learners a day. Every interaction matters.
A teacher’s presence can inspire, motivate and create safety. But when teachers are overwhelmed, under-supported and emotionally exhausted, classrooms can become difficult spaces for both educators and learners.
“Our teachers are not okay,” founder Julia Daniels shares. “In many schools, they feel overwhelmed, stressed and ill-equipped to deal with the challenges confronting them in their classrooms every day, in addition to the enormous pressure to produce academic outcomes.”
Across the country, concerns about teacher burnout, overcrowding and retention continue to grow.
The Difference Institute believes that while one organisation cannot solve systemic inequality, it can help teachers feel more supported, better equipped and less alone.
Helping Teachers Hold Space For Learners
Learners are struggling too.
Many children arrive at school carrying experiences of violence, trauma, poverty, grief, anxiety and barriers to learning. In many communities, school needs to become more than a place of academic instruction. It needs to be a refuge.
The Difference Institute’s workshops are designed to help teachers navigate these realities with more confidence, empathy and practical tools.
The workshops use creative, play-based and experiential methods to support teachers with emotional regulation, connection, curiosity, imagination and classroom wellbeing.
They are grounded in research in critical pedagogy, psychology and neuroscience, and are professionally accredited so teachers can gain continuous professional development points.
The aim is to help educators facilitate learning in trauma-informed, inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming ways, while fostering empathy, kindness and a renewed enjoyment of learning.
The Goal: 100 Teachers In 100 Days
The campaign’s goal is clear: sponsor 100 teachers in 100 days.
Each 3-hour workshop costs R300 per teacher, meaning even a small donation can help place a teacher in a space of support, reflection and practical learning.
If 100 teachers attend, The Difference Institute estimates that at least 3,500 learners could be impacted.
For many learners, one teacher who feels more regulated, connected and equipped can change the tone of a classroom.
For teachers, the workshops offer more than training. They offer breathing room, community and practical strategies they can carry back into their schools.
As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said: “The tidal wave of change begins with a million ripples.”
This campaign is about creating those ripples, one teacher at a time.
Real Impact In Classrooms
Teachers and school leaders who have attended The Difference Institute’s workshops have already shared how meaningful the experience has been.
“The workshop evoked a renewed sense of hope,” shared Tammy-Lee, a teacher from the Cape Flats. “Sometimes we as educators become despondent and see a learner as ‘naughty’ when in actual fact the child is communicating a need with us.”
Rodger, a principal from Stellenbosch, said the workshop helped teachers feel empowered and motivated to explore new approaches.
“Teachers left the workshop feeling empowered and motivated to explore innovative approaches in their classrooms,” he shared. “This newfound confidence and enthusiasm have translated into tangible improvements in our teaching practices, ultimately benefiting the academic and personal growth of our students.”
More Than A Workshop
The Difference Institute’s work extends beyond once-off sessions.
The organisation also hosts free community support and conversation spaces for teachers and support staff in the education ecosystem, facilitates communities of practice, develops targeted resources for teachers and schools, and supports leadership teams.
Its broader mission is to help build classrooms where teachers feel supported and learners feel seen, understood and able to learn.
The campaign also invites people to nominate a teacher, school or themselves for sponsorship.
Community Support Needed
The BackaBuddy campaign has already raised nearly half of its target, but continued support is needed to reach more teachers before the campaign closes.
Every R300 can sponsor one teacher to attend a workshop.
Every donation helps strengthen the adults who are holding classrooms together under difficult conditions.
Every share helps the campaign reach someone who believes teachers deserve support too.
To support The Difference Institute’s campaign, visit their BackaBuddy campaign page.
For more information about The Difference Institute, visit their website or contact them at [email protected].
Randburg, South Africa: An extraordinary wave of community support has emerged following the passing of David Sejobe, a long-serving front-of-house security officer at the MultiChoice Randburg office, whose warmth, kindness, and humanity left a lasting impression on all who encountered him.
In response to his passing, colleagues and community members launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to support the Sejobe family during this time of loss. Within just three days, the campaign raised over R400,000, surpassing its original R20,000 goal by more than 2,000%, through contributions from over 1,038 unique donors, reflecting the profound impact David had on those around him.
David had been a familiar and cherished presence at the MultiChoice Randburg office since 2015. Known for his welcoming smile and genuine care for others, he consistently created moments of connection that went far beyond his professional role. For many colleagues and visitors, David was a daily source of encouragement, someone who made people feel seen, valued, and uplifted.
Tributes shared by donors describe him as a “ray of sunshine”, a deeply selfless individual, and a man whose compassion and faith guided the way he treated others. Many contributors noted that even brief interactions with David left a lasting impression, underscoring how quietly and consistently he lived out his values.
The funds raised through the campaign will assist with any additional expenses, as well as provide immediate support to David’s family as they navigate the emotional and practical realities of their loss. Organisers emphasise that the campaign was created to ensure the family does not face this difficult period alone.
While the financial goal was modest, the response has been overwhelming, transforming the campaign into a collective act of remembrance and solidarity. The scale of support has offered comfort not only to the family, but also to colleagues and community members seeking a meaningful way to honour David’s life.
With 11 days remaining in the campaign, organisers continue to encourage those who are able to contribute or share the campaign, noting that every gesture of support helps sustain the family in the weeks ahead.
To support the Family, visit the BackaBuddy campaign link here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/supporting-the-sejobe-family-in-memory-of-david
Germiston / Cape Town, South Africa — February 2026 Kutlwano Kenneth Yika, a 27-year-old street musician based in Germiston, Gauteng, has spent years performing across towns and cities in South Africa, from busy traffic intersections to public spaces, building a national following long before his recent viral rise on social media.
Now, after gaining widespread online attention for his performances, Yika is converting that visibility into direct community support through a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign aimed at expanding his live performances even further.
Launched 12 days ago, Yika’s campaign, Travel the World With Me, has raised over R15 000 from 10 unique donors toward a R150 000 goal. The funds will support travel, fuel, and basic touring costs, allowing him to continue performing in South African towns and cities he has already visited, while also reaching new audiences locally and internationally.
“Being a street musician has helped get me the recognition I need, whether through word of mouth or social media,” Yika says. “It’s helped with my growth, particularly performing at the highest level, knowing how to read the mood and project my voice.”
A Career Built on Movement and Consistency
Long before viral videos brought him global attention, Yika travelled between towns across South Africa, busking daily and refining his craft in unpredictable environments.
“I focused on what I was doing before integrating social media, busking every single day all over Gauteng and beyond,” he explains. “That consistency is what shaped me.”
Street performance, however, has not always been met with understanding.
“Performing at traffic lights is never something people expect,” Yika says. “I’ve been misunderstood or viewed as an imposter, people thinking I’m lip-syncing, because of how unique my approach is.”
Despite this, his performances began resonating far beyond the street corners where they started. His international, nostalgic song choices, paired with a distinctive vocal style, attracted online viewers who stayed.
“The music is international and nostalgic, that’s a winner on its own,” he says. “But I think my voice and style of singing is what sold me to the world.”
Virality With Perspective
While social media has amplified his reach, Yika remains cautious about its impact.
“Being viral helps with people reaching out,” he says, “but it can also be detrimental. New people sometimes expect an overnight success story.”
Instead, he has used platforms like TikTok livestreaming as a tool, not a shortcut, to sustain his work.
“My livestreams help add more money to sustain my brand and living needs,” he says, “but the foundation is still live performance.”
Community Support Across Borders
The campaign’s donor base reflects Yika’s growing national and international reach, with contributions from South Africa and abroad.
“Hope to see you in the UAE! ❤️” wrote Tiffany Govender, who donated R2,000. “Good luck, looking forward to meeting you in person,” wrote Barbara, contributing US$100. “Live the dream,” added Wizard LFC, a repeat donor to the campaign.
For Yika, these messages reinforce his belief in community-driven careers.
“I serve a purpose,” he says. “I entertain, and my supporters love great talent. They also support other acts online, but they get to spend more time with me.”
“Travel the World With Me”
For Kutlwano Yika, this campaign is more than fundraising, it’s an invitation.
“People always have certain views of success and progress,” he says. “Taking this decision now feels right, it shows growth for my work and my brand.”
Through Travel the World With Me, Yika is asking supporters to help rewrite what success looks like for independent artists, not as overnight fame, but as a journey powered by community.
“It helps change the narrative of a struggling artist,” he explains. “Music stars are what they are because of financial support from their fans.”
Each contribution helps put fuel in the tank, move the music from one town to the next, and turn years of grassroots street performances across South Africa into a global journey, one city, one crowd, and one song at a time.
For those who’ve ever stopped at a traffic light, scrolled past a video, or believed in raw talent, Yika’s message is simple: travel the world with me, and be part of where the music goes next.
