The community of Zwelethemba are coming together to raise funds for a young man living with polycystic kidney disease.
Bongo Pikelela was diagnosed with the disease when he was nine years old. As a result one of his kidney’s was removed in 2005 and the other in 2012. Because of this he had to leave school during his Grade 10 year. He now has to receive dialysis four days out of the week. Pikelela also suffers from heart failure as a result of his kidney disease. According to him he is a candidate for receiving donor kidneys but has been waiting years for a match.
The years of medical costs has taken its toll on his family and has led to members of the community organising a gospel concert in aid of his ever growing medical bills.
“It is difficult for my mom to pay all the bills on her own. It’s just her, myself and my younger brother. I wish I could work but I can’t,” explains Pikelela.
Faniswa Namanyane saw a poster a few weeks ago on Facebook about a different fundraiser for him and decided she, too, wanted to help in raising money to ease the family’s financial responsibilities.
“I saw the poster on Facebook and wanted to get involved. But I wanted to do it in my own way. I am friends with his aunt and approached her about having the gospel concert to raise funds, because I know how many medical bills his mother needs to pay,” explains Namanyane.
She then reached out to other artists in the community to get more people involved.
“I started a WhatsApp group and everyone agreed to be a part of this fundraising initiative. So far we have seven artists and backing vocalists who will be performing at the show which we have planned for Sunday 24 July. We really want a sold out show.”
Namanyane further explains that she would like to use this opportunity to bring awareness about the community coming together to help one another.
“After we have helped Bongo, I would like us to further help other community members who might be in the same position. If there is anyone else with such a need, I want them to come forward so we can try and help them pay their medical bills,” explained Namanyane.
She also alluded to the fact that they might start a foundation for this specific purpose.
V Tickets for the gospel concert will be sold at R80. The venue for the show will be confirmed closer to the time. For more information or to get involved call Faniswa Namanyane on 067 601 4897.
