Little Fighter, Big Faith: Pretoria Boy’s Brave Battle Against Leukemia Inspires a Nation

A Mother’s Mission, A Boy’s Unshakable Spirit

In a modest Pretoria home filled with prayer and perseverance, 9-year-old Amogelang Kgobe or “Amo” to those who love him, is quietly fighting for his life.

Just months after completing treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Amo has relapsed. The news came in May, turning his family’s world upside down, but not their faith.

His mother, Annah Kgobe, originally from the rural village of Botlokwa in Limpopo, now finds herself at the forefront of a new battle: not against cancer alone, but against time, costs, and fear.

A Family Bound by Love and Faith

Amo isn’t just another brave kid battling a difficult illness, he’s a fiercely determined little boy with a deep love for soccer, a protective bond with his two brothers, and a spiritual strength that often surprises the adults around him.

“He likes to be in control,” Annah shares with a smile. “He’s got such a strong spirit and his faith, even at his age, is unbelievable.”

The Kgobe family finds healing in church, joy in ice cream runs, and strength in simply being together. “There is nothing we love more than spending time as a family, especially in the house of the Lord,” Annah says.

The Road Ahead: Transplant and Uncertainty

Amo’s only chance now lies in a bone marrow transplant. His father, heartbreakingly, is only a half-match — and since losing his job in March, the family’s financial burdens have grown heavier by the day.

From transport costs and hospital visits to medication and lab tests, the expenses are relentless. Determined to save her son, Annah turned to BackaBuddy, launching a fundraising campaign in June with the goal of reaching R250,000.

“So far, we’ve raised just over R51,000,” she says with heartfelt gratitude. “To everyone who has donated or shared a kind word, we thank you. You’ve given us strength when we didn’t have any left.”

A South African Story of Solidarity

More than 170 donors have stepped up to help Amo. Some knew the family personally; others were strangers moved by a mother’s plea. Messages of encouragement continue to pour in on social media, from Pretoria to Polokwane and beyond.

“South Africans are showing up,” Annah says. “We don’t feel alone anymore.”

More Than Just Amo: The Bone Marrow Crisis in SA

Amo’s story also highlights a wider issue, the urgent need for bone marrow donors in South Africa. Many families, especially in Black communities, struggle to find suitable matches due to a lack of diverse donors in the national registry.

Annah hopes her son’s journey will raise awareness and encourage more people to register as donors. “You could be the match that saves someone’s child,” she says.

How You Can Help

Whether it’s a small donation or signing up as a bone marrow donor, South Africans have a chance to make a tangible difference. “Every rand, every prayer, every message gives us hope,” Annah says.

In the face of a devastating diagnosis, it’s the quiet power of community and compassion that’s keeping this little boy and his family going.

To support Amogelang’s journey, visit their BackaBuddy campaign page and share his story. Because in South Africa, we don’t just fight for our own, we fight for each other.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com