{"id":305234,"date":"2026-02-05T11:26:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T09:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/?p=305234"},"modified":"2026-03-03T09:47:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T07:47:52","slug":"teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cape Town – Donnel, a 19-year-old from Cape Town, has lived with hydrocephalus since birth, a condition that has left him unable to walk and dependent on full-time care. As he enters adulthood, the physical and practical demands of managing his condition have increased significantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donnel Mupambanga’s life has been shaped by ongoing medical intervention and constant care. He has undergone six major surgeries and survived a stroke, resulting in lasting physical limitations. He requires assistance with all daily activities, along with ongoing management of chronic health conditions, including severe skin allergies and the risk of seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the age of four, Donnel has been cared for solely by his mother Blessing, following the death of his father from cancer. For the past 15 years, she has managed every aspect of his wellbeing, becoming his full-time caregiver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Donnel doesn\u2019t complain. Even in difficult moments, his attitude gives his mother the strength to continue.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Her responsibilities are continuous and demanding. She provides 24-hour supervision, manages medical routines and hygiene needs, and performs all physical lifting and transfers, as Donnel cannot walk independently. As he has grown into a young adult, these tasks have become increasingly strenuous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these pressures, Donnel\u2019s outlook remains a source of strength within the household. His family describes him as disciplined, calm, and quietly resilient. During health setbacks, including seizures, it is often his composure that sustains his mother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDonnel doesn\u2019t complain,\u201d his family explains. \u201cEven in difficult moments, his attitude gives his mother the strength to continue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the ways Donnel expresses determination is through music. Despite poor eyesight and limited use of one hand, he finds joy and purpose in singing. Music offers an emotional outlet and a sense of identity beyond his physical limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning to community support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Donnel has transitioned into adulthood, his care needs have reached a critical point. His physical size has made hospital visits, daily transfers, and transport increasingly difficult to manage alone. The strain of lifting and moving him has resulted in his mother developing severe, chronic back pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the cost of essential daily supplies \u2014 including adult nappies and medicated creams required for his skin condition \u2014 has continued to rise. For a single caregiver, these combined pressures have become unsustainable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faced with these realities, the family made the decision to seek community support by launching a verified BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign. Since launching three days ago, the response has been encouraging. More than R14,000 has been raised, reaching 70% of the R20,000 goal, through contributions from 15 individual donors. While this support has provided momentum, the family still needs assistance to reach the full amount required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

It\u2019s also about acknowledging that this journey can\u2019t be carried alone anymore.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis campaign is about ensuring Donnel has the care and dignity he deserves,\u201d says campaign organiser Rory Little. \u201cIt\u2019s also about acknowledging that this journey can\u2019t be carried alone anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public response has offered encouragement after years of managing Donnel\u2019s care privately, highlighting the impact of collective support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving the right equipment would be life-changing,\u201d the family explains. \u201cIt would reduce the risk of injury, protect his mother\u2019s health, and allow Donnel to live with greater comfort and stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, his family has launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for essential mobility equipment, daily medical and hygiene supplies, and safe transport \u2014 support that is now critical to maintaining his health, dignity, and quality of life. To support Donnel, visit the BackaBuddy campaign here: https:\/\/www.backabuddy.co.za\/campaign\/helping-donnel-access-the-care-he-deserves<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":305235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"59","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"1","article_feature_type":"normal","article_main_image_caption":"Donnel Mupambang has undergone six major surgeries and survived a stroke.","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"FEB18_drdonnel","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":["FEB18_drdonnel_P1"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[8266,8293,7904],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-305234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-cape-town","tag-community","tag-local-stories"],"yoast_head":"\nTeen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow | TygerBurger<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TygerBurger\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TygerBurger\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-05T09:26:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-03T07:47:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"TygerBurger\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@tygerburger\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@tygerburger\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"TygerBurger\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"TygerBurger\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0f71e348ba4b9942416d90370345e952\"},\"headline\":\"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-05T09:26:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-03T07:47:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":606,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Cape Town\",\"Community\",\"Local Stories\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/\",\"name\":\"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow | TygerBurger\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-05T09:26:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-03T07:47:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":1500,\"caption\":\"Donnel Mupambang has undergone six major surgeries and survived a stroke.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/\",\"name\":\"TygerBurger\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"TygerBurger\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/tyger-burger-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/tyger-burger-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"TygerBurger\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/TygerBurger\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/tygerburger\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/tygerburger\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@TygerBurger-SA\"],\"description\":\"Tygerburger has been a staple in the northern suburbs of Cape Town for many years, providing readers with timely and relevant local news. TygerBurger is a free weekly community newspaper distributed in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, serving areas including Bellville, Durbanville, Parow, Kuils River, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein, Goodwood, Milnerton, Table View, Tyger Valley, De Grendel, Mitchells Plain, Eerste River, Elsies River, and Ravensmead.\",\"email\":\"tygerburger@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27219106500\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0f71e348ba4b9942416d90370345e952\",\"name\":\"TygerBurger\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ae2ee35b60e108b154991fcbdb6e9114c9fa89c1b3386c09fa6f9b73c43dd5af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ae2ee35b60e108b154991fcbdb6e9114c9fa89c1b3386c09fa6f9b73c43dd5af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ae2ee35b60e108b154991fcbdb6e9114c9fa89c1b3386c09fa6f9b73c43dd5af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"TygerBurger\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/tygerburger\\\/author\\\/tygerburger\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow | TygerBurger","description":"Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow","og_description":"Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/","og_site_name":"TygerBurger","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TygerBurger\/","article_published_time":"2026-02-05T09:26:12+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-03T07:47:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":1500,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"TygerBurger","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@tygerburger","twitter_site":"@tygerburger","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"TygerBurger","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/"},"author":{"name":"TygerBurger","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#\/schema\/person\/0f71e348ba4b9942416d90370345e952"},"headline":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow","datePublished":"2026-02-05T09:26:12+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-03T07:47:52+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/"},"wordCount":606,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg","keywords":["Cape Town","Community","Local Stories"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/","name":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow | TygerBurger","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-05T09:26:12+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-03T07:47:52+00:00","description":"Music-loving Donnel, 19, needs full-time care for hydrocephalus. His Cape Town family has launched a crowdfunding campaign for essential equipment.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg","width":1200,"height":1500,"caption":"Donnel Mupambang has undergone six major surgeries and survived a stroke."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-with-lifelong-condition-seeks-community-support-as-care-needs-grow\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Teen with lifelong condition seeks community support as care needs grow"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/","name":"TygerBurger","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#organization","name":"TygerBurger","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tyger-burger-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tyger-burger-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"TygerBurger"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TygerBurger\/","https:\/\/x.com\/tygerburger","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tygerburger\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TygerBurger-SA"],"description":"Tygerburger has been a staple in the northern suburbs of Cape Town for many years, providing readers with timely and relevant local news. TygerBurger is a free weekly community newspaper distributed in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, serving areas including Bellville, Durbanville, Parow, Kuils River, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein, Goodwood, Milnerton, Table View, Tyger Valley, De Grendel, Mitchells Plain, Eerste River, Elsies River, and Ravensmead.","email":"tygerburger@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27219106500","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/#\/schema\/person\/0f71e348ba4b9942416d90370345e952","name":"TygerBurger","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae2ee35b60e108b154991fcbdb6e9114c9fa89c1b3386c09fa6f9b73c43dd5af?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae2ee35b60e108b154991fcbdb6e9114c9fa89c1b3386c09fa6f9b73c43dd5af?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae2ee35b60e108b154991fcbdb6e9114c9fa89c1b3386c09fa6f9b73c43dd5af?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"TygerBurger"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/author\/tygerburger\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image_Screenshot_202_50220.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":302034,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/major-road-upgrades-begin-on-la-belle-road-in-stikland\/","url_meta":{"origin":305234,"position":0},"title":"Major road upgrades begin on La Belle Road in Stikland","author":"TygerBurger","date":"13 January 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Cape Town begins six-month La Belle Road rehabilitation in Stikland until July 31, including pavement upgrades and sidewalk repairs.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Western Cape is fast-tracking R131bn worth of infrastructure projects.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/miguel-teirlinck-Ur_02496.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/miguel-teirlinck-Ur_02496.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/miguel-teirlinck-Ur_02496.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/miguel-teirlinck-Ur_02496.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/miguel-teirlinck-Ur_02496.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":317930,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/cape-towns-traffic-services-shares-safety-tips-for-wet-slippery-roads\/","url_meta":{"origin":305234,"position":1},"title":"Cape Town’s traffic services shares safety tips for wet, slippery roads","author":"TygerBurger","date":"24 April 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Cape motorists are warned to drive cautiously on wet, flooded roads as winter approaches, amid recent localized flooding incidents.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Rainy Weather Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EdgemeadFlood1_58804.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EdgemeadFlood1_58804.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EdgemeadFlood1_58804.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EdgemeadFlood1_58804.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EdgemeadFlood1_58804.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"TygerBurger","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/305235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305234"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=305234"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=305234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}