Bongani reaches for the sky

Fifteen-year-old Bongani Mpanza has wanted to fly for as long as he can remember.

With Hodgkin’s lymphoma this seemed like just a distant dream.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma — formerly known as Hodgkin’s disease — is a cancer of the lymphatic system.

With this illness, cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and may spread beyond the lymphatic system.

As it progresses, it compromises the body’s ability to fight infection.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of two common types of cancers of the lymphatic system, the other type, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is far more common.

With the help of the Reach for a Dream Foundation and Springbok Classic Air Bongani’s dream recently became a reality.

He was selected through a strict process and set of criteria.

“A child needs to be a South African resident, aged between three and 18 years of age, fighting a life-threatening illness and should not have received a wish from another wish granting organisation,” explained Taryn Seegers, projects and events coordinator of the Reach for a Dream Foundation.

“We can accept a child if we receive the referral on their third birthday, or before the day of their 18th birthday.

“From there we confirm if the child has a life-threatening condition; we will send a short form to the family asking for further information.

“Once we have this form back we will arrange for our specially-trained volunteers or staff to visit the dream child, to find out what their dreams are.”

Bongani, his mother, Nokuthula Mpanza, and siblings, Londeka (6) and Spihwe (10), were treated to a flight in a beautifully restored Douglas DC-3.

The flight was sponsored by Springbok Classic Air, based at Rand Airport.

But Bongani’s day didn’t end there.

After the flight, Reach for a Dream volunteer Steven Kahn took the family to lunch at Spur, Bongani’s favourite restaurant.

He also had a surprise gift for the young man.

“We had a laptop to give Bongani,” Kahn said.

“This is something he has wanted for a long time, as he feels it will assist him with his school work.”

When asked if he had enjoyed his day, Bongani told the GCN: “I really enjoyed my flight; I had to ask my mommy if it was really happening.”