Helping Luyanda through his toughest battle


This festive season, Hot Cares is shining a light on extraordinary individuals through our Hot Cares Christmas campaign. One such story is that of Luyanda Mbele, a BSc student at the Univercity of Cape Town who has shown immense courage and determination in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Luyanda was diagnosed with cancer last year and is currently undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, with a bone marrow transplant scheduled soon.

Despite the immense physical and emotional toll, Luyanda has maintained exceptional academic performance, achieving distinctions in his courses. His resilience and commitment are nothing short of inspiring.

As the academic year ends, UCT residences are closing, leaving Luyanda in a precarious position. He must stay in Cape Town throughout December and January to continue his life-saving treatment, but he cannot afford the high cost of vacation accommodation at the university. Additionally, his doctor has recommended that his mother join him during this critical period to provide emotional support, yet the financial burden makes this seem impossible.

Hot Cares is stepping in to ensure that Luyanda and his mother can be together during this crucial time. We will cover their accommodation, travel, and food expenses for December and January, amounting to approximately R90,000. Included in this is a R10,000 voucher to make their Christmas extra special, giving them the chance to create joyful moments during this challenging time.

Christmas is a time for love, hope, and giving, and through this campaign, we aim to remind Luyanda that he is not alone in his fight.

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