This isn’t just a press release. It’s a deeply human moment… and a reminder of the power of compassion in unexpected places.
Johannesburg, South Africa (05 August 2025) – Most mothers wish for their children to be happy. Some wish for safety, or for opportunities, or for good health. But Rahab Phoshoko, a tables inspector in Johannesburg, had one very specific wish: to hear her little boy say “Mama” for the first time.
It’s something so many parents take for granted. But for Rahab, it became her most urgent dream.
Her son Zani was born in 2021, bright-eyed and full of promise. But when milestones came and went without speech, her instincts told her something was wrong. And she was right. Zani was eventually diagnosed with hearing loss and underwent surgery. Then came another diagnosis. Autism.
“Nothing could have prepared us for what we heard next, that Zani had lost his hearing,” she shared.
“Watching my son prepare for surgery, so small yet so strong, was one of the hardest moments of my life. And yet, it was also the beginning of our journey toward understanding – not just his needs, but his incredible resilience.”
But resilience needs support. And therapy, the kind Zani urgently needs, comes at a cost that many families simply cannot meet. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, neurodevelopmental support… these are often out of reach, especially in a country where access to specialised care can feel impossibly unequal.
So Rahab did something brave. When her company opened up its annual call for employee wishes – a simple initiative asking, “how can we help?” – she shared her heart. She didn’t ask for anything for herself. She asked for her son. At just three years old, Zani had never said “Mama.” Never said “Dada.” But Rahab believed he still could, if given the chance.
And then something beautiful happened.
Her company’s leadership chose her wish: a call for therapy support, as this year’s top priority. And just like that, Zani’s journey shifted. The therapy he needs is being funded. The care he deserves is now within reach.
But this isn’t just a story about one little child and his mom. This is a story about how things should be. It’s a reminder that behind every name tag, every payslip, and every shift, there’s a human being. A parent. A caregiver. A person carrying the weight of life while showing up and giving their best. And when companies meet that humanity with compassion instead of cold policies… that’s where real change begins.
“I want to thank God for answering my prayers,” Rahab said. “Thank you for granting my wish, for stepping in during a time of need and providing us with the support that will give Zani the chance to improve, grow, and thrive. You didn’t just give a helping hand — you gave a little boy hope, and a mother peace.”
Her words are a challenge to the rest of us.
What if more companies listened like this? What if more workplaces saw their people, really saw them, and recognised that sometimes, the biggest impact they can make isn’t a big campaign or a flashy launch… it’s one act of care that changes everything for one family.
Zani’s journey is just beginning. But it’s already inspired something bigger: a conversation about what’s possible when we lead with empathy. When corporate South Africa remembers the human side of business. And if this story reminds just one more employer to pause, look up, and ask, “How can we help?”… then that, too, would be a wish granted.
Sun International’s annual Sun Wish campaign has been quietly transforming lives since 2019, offering employees the chance to ask for help with deeply personal challenges relating to education, health, food security and more. While many companies focus their resources outward, Sun Wish turns that compassion inward, towards the people who keep the business running. In a country where too many workers are seen as expendable, this programme is a powerful reminder that looking after your team is not just good practice… it’s good humanity.
by 