There has been a slight improvement in Vernon Koekemoer’s condition (whose real name is Cassie Booyse) following yet another hip operation on October 17.

Koekemoer’s life partner, Linda Coetzee, said he was transferred from Tambo Memorial to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital on October 12 to go under the knife again.

“It was a long operation. They pushed him into the theatre at 22:45 and he came out at 03:00. It looks like it went well. He is doing a little bit better but is still in pain.

“The doctors cleaned his hip. They also put a spacer in his hip. It is a prosthesis and the antibiotics will help fight bacteria left behind,” she explained.

Coetzee said that Koekemoer will have to undergo the same process if the infection has not cleared up.

The 66-year-old Witfield resident, who became an overnight sensation after he was photographed at an H2O music festival in Boksburg in 2008, was admitted to the Tambo Memorial Hospital about a month ago. The internet sensation has been bedridden for three years after three failed hip operations, of which the first one was in 2019.

In the meantime, fans have rallied together to help Koekemoer with his medical bills.

H2O created a Back a Buddy page to assist him. The website revealed the fundraising target has been surpassed and that over R105 000 had been raised.

On Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels on Breakfast with Martin Bester, R30 000 was donated to help Vernon with his medical condition.

Good Morning Angels is also in contact with a specialist who will examine Cassie for free and do tests to determine the extent of his problem and treatment.

TikTok star and businessman Malcolm Wentzel also contributed R20 000 to Booyse on behalf of the FKN Army, a social media movement founded to empower the needy.

Booyse received even more good news from Nando’s that sponsored R87 000.

Coetzee expressed her gratitude to those who supported him.

“The money that was raised will be used for his medical expenses or anything else he might need. There are still costs involved even though he is in a public hospital.”