Rallying behind Mokoena: A boy’s battle with a rare kidney condition

A heartfelt story from Zamdela, Sasolburg has captured social media attention. Ahmed Mgweqo, affectionately known as Mokoena, a 17-year-old boy is often carried by his friends because of his rare kidney condition.

According to his caregiver, Desmond Ramaru, Mokoena’s condition causes his kidneys to enlarge and severely impacts his mobility, making everyday activities a challenge. Despite these hardships, his friends rally around him, helping him get to school and maintain his education.

Ramaru says Mokoena was not born with his condition. His new reality began around the age of 11, drastically changing his life. He can no longer do the things that normal children do, while others play, he is often left sitting and watching, unable to join in.

Ramaru is a true samaritan who stepped in to support Mokoena during his difficult journey.

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He regularly helps him get to medical appointments and goes above and beyond by providing for his needs, aiming to bring a smile to the young boy’s face. Despite the challenge of living in Johannesburg while Mokoena resides in Sasolburg, Ramaru makes it his personal mission to travel the distance whenever necessary, demonstrating his
unwavering dedication and compassion.

Tragically, Mokoena’s mother passed away in April this year. He and his siblings now live in a child-headed household, with the oldest sibling being 24 and unemployed. Recognizing their plight, Ramaru stepped in to fill the void. “That’s when I knew I had to step in and share the little I have with them,” he says.

“Although I don’t have enough to cover all their financial needs, I do what I can to support them,” says Ramaru. He further emphasized that Mokoena needs transportation to and from school, as he is unable to walk more than five meters. Additionally, funds are required to meet his daily needs and cover ongoing hospital check-ups.

One of the challenges is that Mokoena lives in a hostel with limited accessibility. His home is on the second floor, requiring him to climb up and down the stairs, which poses a significant difficulty given his condition.

Ramaru has opened a Back-a-Buddy account to help cover Mokoena’s daily needs and transportation for his regular check-ups. He is scheduled to visit Baragwanath Hospital for further evaluation, with the hope of receiving additional assistance for his condition.

“We have been visiting Bloemfontein Hospital for more than five years and it was taking a long time for him to finally get the surgery he needs, despite medical experts confirming that he requires it. We started going to Baragwanath Hospital recently and things look promising. We are going back there again on the 29th,” says Ramaru.

People are welcome to donate as they see fit. Ramaru says any contribution will be helpful. “At this moment, every little bit counts for the boy,” he adds. “I’m trying to restore his hope for a better life as he’s left with no one to support him. I would truly appreciate any form of contribution toward the boy’s well-being.”