WATCH: Community rallies for fundraiser in support of Albertsdal teen
Residents gathered at a local McDonald’s to raise funds for a teenager battling lupus and in need of life-saving treatment.
When 17-year-old Zoë Mukansi speaks about her high school years, she does not mention sports, dances or carefree afternoons.
Her teenage memories are of hospital corridors, life support machines and an unyielding fight to survive against overwhelming odds.
The community recently came together to host a fundraiser at McDonald’s Alberton on August 12 to support Mukansi’s ongoing medical treatment. Her friend, Kaelee Mostert, organised the initiative.
@albertonrecordWhen 17-year-old Zoë Mukansi speaks about her high school years, she does not mention sports, dances or carefree afternoons. Her teenage memories are of hospital corridors, life support machines and an unyielding fight to survive against overwhelming odds. The community recently came together to host a fundraiser at McDonald’s Alberton on August 12 to support Mukansi’s ongoing medical treatment. Her friend, Kaelee Mostert, organised the initiative.
The event drew families, friends and residents, who enjoyed a meal and contributed to the cause.
Bronwen Mostert, Kaelee’s mother, said, “My daughter goes to the same school as Zoë and is in the same class. She came to me and told us about Zoë’s condition, and we decided as a family that we would support her.”
Janet Flanagan, Mostert’s grandmother, explained the motivation behind the event.
“Kelly is my granddaughter. She came to us on Friday and was pretty upset. So, I came here on Saturday. I spoke to the McDonald’s team because I have known Thabile, the manager, for many years, and know she has a passion for helping people.
“I hope this will bring in some companies with lots of money, so that they can start supporting Zoë.
“This is for Zoë. It is not to bring limelight to us or anybody. It is all for her. That is what we want. We want her to have a more sustainable life and make it easier on her mother, who is also unwell.”
Mukansi’s mother, Amanda, said, “I am humbled. It is rare these days to have sessions like this. I am grateful. I hope this story will go out there because lupus is rare. I only knew about it when it hit my home. I am grateful for McDonald’s and her friends.”
A sudden decline
Mukansi’s journey has been remarkable. Diagnosed with lupus in 2020, the autoimmune disease has caused severe flare-ups affecting multiple organs.
In December 2021, on a family holiday in Durban, Mukansi began feeling unwell but initially ignored the symptoms.
“Deep down, I think I knew something was wrong, but I told myself I was not sick,” she says.
Mukansi and her family returned from the holiday on January 10. The next day was her mother’s birthday, and January 12 was supposed to be Mukansi’s first day back at school for Grade 10.
On her mother’s birthday, she had a high fever. Her aunt insisted on a doctor’s visit, and within hours Mukansi was referred to the hospital.
Still determined not to miss the first day of Grade 10, she made her aunt stop at school to collect her textbooks on the way.
“I was determined to get my textbooks first. I was so weak that my aunt had to go in for me. I couldn’t even walk properly,” she recalls.
At the hospital, doctors struggled to determine what was wrong. Tests ruled out Covid-19, but Mukansi’s condition continued to deteriorate. She was moved to the ICU, developed fluid in her lungs, and ultimately had multiple organ failure.
Living on life support
Mukansi was placed in a medically induced coma and intubated for a month. Doctors suggested switching off her life support, but her aunt refused and demanded another opinion.
This decision saved her life.
She was transferred to the Netcare Milpark Hospital and placed on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, which temporarily took over her heart and lung functions.
“I was in the hospital from January until May. When I woke up on Valentine’s Day, I couldn’t move. I had tubes everywhere, but my family was there, which kept me calm,” Mukansi recalls.
Recovery was slow. Mukansi had to relearn walking, eating and speaking. She wore a splint on her right leg due to nerve damage. In 2024, she suffered blood clots in her leg and kidney artery, which required more ICU stays.
School challenges and progress
Mukansi missed all of 2022 and returned to school in 2023, repeating Grade 10.
She faced flare-ups and infections that caused frequent absences. Teachers accommodated her by adjusting marks so she could advance to Grade 11.
In 2024, she changed schools and moved to Reddam House boarding school in Midrand.
Everything was going well until it was time for her to write the final exams. She started getting sick and was rushed to the hospital, where she was told she had pneumonia.
This caused further hospitalisations, but she continued her studies from home and eventually sat for the exams.
“This journey has taught me that giving up is never an option. Even when people tell you it is over, you have to keep fighting,” Mukansi says.
Current struggles and fundraising efforts
This year, Mukansi started homeschooling at a centre where she met her friends, Megan and Kaelee. She shared her story with them, and they organised the McDonald’s fundraiser to help cover treatment costs.
Recently, she had a follow-up with her rheumatologist, who recommended chemotherapy to manage the lupus symptoms, but her medical aid would not cover it. The treatment is R20 000, which her family cannot afford. She says the medical aid cannot cover the cost due to pre-existing conditions.
“My friends stepped in to help with this fundraiser so I can continue my treatment,” Mukansi said.
How you can help
Donate to the BackaBuddy campaign.
