Every young person carries a dream in their heart.
For Cobus Watson, that dream is bigger than just today – it’s a future he works hard for every day.
Cobus is a Grade 10 learner at Kanonkop High School, and even though he is currently u/16, his perseverance, discipline and passion have made him stand out – so much so that he was selected for the school’s first hockey team.

It is the time of joy again…
…and a nightmare.
That nightmare’s name is ‘money’.
Parents first cheer, and then their challenge begins.
Where do you suddenly scratch out R10 000?
Or R60 000?

Selected for the South Eastern Transvaal u/19 Bokkies team

In Cobus’s case, it is R8 400 after he was selected for the South Eastern Transvaal u/19 Bokkies team, which will participate in Mookgophong (Naboomspruit) in July, plus R2 500 for a provincial ‘landsdiens’ camp.

Regan Erasmus’s parents have also reached out to the community for help.
“Help Regan represent South Africa and HTS Middelburg in France. We are incredibly proud to share that our son, Regan Erasmus, has been selected for the AST BV Invitational Rugby Tour to France (November 29 – December 9).

“From a young age, rugby has been his passion”

“This is not just another rugby tour – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him to represent his region, grow as a player, and potentially be scouted by international clubs and academies.
“From a young age, rugby has been his passion. Early mornings, long practices, and countless matches have shaped his discipline, dedication, and love for the game. Being selected for this tour is recognition of his hard work and commitment.

“Unfortunately, the cost of the tour is significant and includes: international travel, accommodation, tour festivals and training, a visa, and additional expenses.
“As a family, we are doing everything we can to support him, but we cannot do it alone. We are reaching out to our community, friends, and anyone who believes in supporting young talent, to help make this dream a reality.”

Also asking for financial support

The u/15 rural rugby team manager, Jaco Mouton, also sent out a letter asking for financial support for the team.
The Watson family started a BackaBuddy campaign, but there are some parents selling everything from pancakes to vetkoeks, some children stand on street corners asking for money, and some parents borrow the funds from a bank.
In this time of need, of course, it’s sometimes sports tours against survival.

There are moving campaigns

BackaBuddy’s website says, “Over 13 200 lives saved through life-changing medical campaigns.”
There are moving campaigns like that of Marietta.
“In September 2025, Marietta buried her only child, Liam, her 12-year-old son, her entire world, who died suddenly in a diabetic coma. The pain of losing him is unbearable.

“Just weeks earlier, she learned she had pleomorphic sarcoma, a rare, aggressive cancer in her left leg. It has already spread to her lungs and lymph nodes. Her little boy spent his last days terrified for her life – a heartbreak she carries every second.”

Walking one day

Then there is Benjamin’s story.
“Hi friends and family, we invite you to partner with us in this precious season of Benjamin’s journey towards walking one day.
“Benjamin, born three months premature in 2024, is facing a new challenge as we navigate neurological complications, diplegia and ongoing assessments – but we believe he will rise above it.

“To give him the best chance to thrive, we are moving quickly on intensive therapy multiple times per week (beyond what our medical aid can cover), as well as specialised mobility and therapeutic equipment and tools for consistent home therapy alongside his weekly sessions.”

“Please help us save my brother”

Faraaz Majal writes, “Please help us save my brother from further suffering after a devastating accident. My brother was involved in a horrific accident on the N1 outbound under the R300 bridge during the severe rain and flooding conditions we have had over the past two days.

“The bakkie he was travelling in slipped on a puddle of water, causing him to lose control. The vehicle crashed into the barrier, rolled over the barrier on the side of the road onto the embankment, and during the accident, he was thrown from the vehicle. His lower body became trapped, and he was dragged until the bakkie finally came to a stop on top of him.”

How do you tell a child he can’t go?

But it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are.
The fact is that there are numerous sports tours ahead. And how do you tell a child he can’t go because there is no money?