A Community’s Mission to Restore Dignity and Keep Hope Alive for Bhekani

Photo Credit: Kelly Stegen via Facebook

A bed, a wheelchair and a water tank have already brought hope to a young man who has only ever known adversity. Now, Bhekani’s supporters are rallying once more to help provide the daily care, dignity and support he deserves.

Wartburg, South Africa (15 October 2026) – In the heart of Wartburg village in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, lives a young man who has been dealt a difficult hand in life. When Kelly Stegen and Travis Warwick-Oliver from Rejuvenate SA learnt about his circumstances, they knew they had to step in and help.

Both of Bhekani’s parents have died, and he lives with a disability. He has experienced seizures since the age of 13, but appropriate healthcare has remained out of reach, with Epilem being the only treatment he has received. He cannot move his arms or legs, and his condition has also affected him mentally.

“Bhekani was brought to my attention by a local community worker a while ago. At the time, he needed Futurelife and nappies and was sleeping on a sponge on the floor,” Kelly shares.

After Kelly shared his story on her platforms, people who were touched by it rallied around the young man. They not only donated those essentials, but also gave Bhekani so much more.

“We got him a bed, some linen and food, thanks to my amazing followers.”

But Bhekani remained in Kelly’s heart, and she could not shake her concern for him.

She and Travis recently visited him again to see how he was doing. When they realised that he was often left alone for most of the day while his distant uncle searched for piece jobs, Kelly knew more needed to be done.

A video shows them interacting with Bhekani, who is 24, and nearby neighbours. After making sure he had enough to eat, they took him outside for some fresh air in a wheelchair that was far too small for him.

Heartbroken by the reality of how Bhekani spends most of his days, Kelly once again turned to the public to help keep hope alive for him. After she appealed for a specialised wheelchair and a JoJo tank to ease the household’s limited access to water, both were donated within minutes!

“Not even an hour after leaving him, we had both items donated. Thank you so much to my beautiful friend Pia and Cothrom Commodities, who offered to donate the wheelchair and the JoJo tank.”

The next hope is to raise enough money to employ a carer for Bhekani for several months and to find someone who can assist with his birth certificate application at Home Affairs in uMngeni or Wartburg. A birth certificate would place him on the official system, helping him apply for a disability grant and access further support.

“He needs a carer to help him bathe, eat and change his nappy – the basics. We would love to raise enough money to get him a carer for at least six months. This works out to well over R30,000. We have found a local woman who knows Bhekani and can care for him for a few hours.”

A crowdfunding campaign has now been launched to help cover the cost of this vital care. And because Bhekani’s need for porridge and nappies is ongoing, Wartburg Fuels has also offered to set up a collection cage for donations.

“If you can donate anything, from small adult strap-on nappies and porridge to nutrition bars, please do. Bhekani cannot speak for himself, and we would love to be a voice for him,” Kelly appeals.

To help support Bhekani, connect with Kelly on social media or contribute to the crowdfunding campaign.