South Africans have already raised more than R523,000 to support Nico’s treatment… proof that when one of us hurts, all of us show up to help.
Roodepoort, South Africa (27 August 2025) – Some stories stay with us long after we first hear them. Nico Botha’s journey is one of those.
When we shared his story back in January, South Africans from every corner rallied behind him. Diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer, Nico has been fighting every single day, showing courage beyond his years.
And now, we have an update that will move you in ways you may not expect.
On the 27th of August, Nico’s aunt, Mari Parker, sat down with him for a candid and deeply personal interview. She asked questions that offered us a glimpse into his reality, from what his perfect day would look like, to the hardest part of living with his illness, to what he is still looking forward to.
It’s raw, it’s vulnerable and it’s honest.
One of the hardest moments came when Nico revealed that his very first thought upon being diagnosed was: “I’m going to die.” And in that moment, he simply accepted it.
Hearing this is devastating but it also highlights the strength Nico carries in facing such an unimaginable challenge. The interview is not easy to watch, it will break your heart, but it will also remind you of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope. In many ways, it might just be the most important thing you watch today.
Nico should be celebrating finishing school and planning his future. Instead, his days are filled with treatments, hospital stays and the physical pain of battling cancer. He has endured 22 rounds of chemotherapy, faced severe infections and even missed his sister’s wedding due to administrative and medical aid complications. And yet, there are victories too. Small but significant wins like walking short distances with crutches, regaining some mobility and moments of laughter with his family. These are the moments that keep him going.
Despite the challenges of a healthcare system stretched to breaking point, Nico’s family has managed to secure a specialised treatment plan that gives him the best possible chance, one that combines targeted chemotherapy with therapies designed to strengthen his immune system. But the cost is enormous and medical aid covers only a fraction of it.
Thankfully, South Africans, once again, have stepped in. Within days of Nico’s story first being shared earlier this year, R300,000 was raised. Today, his BackaBuddy campaign has climbed to R523,734 and continues to rise, well on its way to the R1 million target.
Every donation is not just financial support; it’s a message of love, of solidarity, of saying: “You don’t walk this journey alone.”
Mari’s interview with Nico is more than just words on a page or a video on a screen. It’s a reminder that life is fragile but it is also beautiful. Even in the darkest of times, there is light, sometimes in the form of strangers, sometimes in the form of family and often in the form of a community that chooses kindness.
Nico still has a long road ahead but he is not walking it alone. And that, in itself, is something extraordinary.
by 
This message is for Nico Botha
“Hi Nico, when I read your story it made me very sad. my brother in law also suffered from cancer and he went to see Professor Jordaan in Richard’s Bay who performs Radiation Therapy, and he is in remission”
Please contact Professor Jordaan on 035 789 0302 I am sure he will be able to help you.
Best Regards, Leslie Curry.