The community is mourning the loss of nine-year-old Ruhaan Nel from Geduld, who died on Friday evening just three hours after he was moved to Stepping Stones Hospice in Alberton.

As reported by the Springs Advertiser in September, Ruhaan had been on life support after his battle with frequent seizures.

He had been transferred to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital where his family awaited further medical tests.

Ruhaan first presented with flu-like symptoms for which he received medication from the local clinic. He was sent home, but after a few days he was rushed to hospital with a fever.

“He was given medication for the fever and sent home but in a few days he started having seizures. He was rushed to Parklands where they stabilised him and transferred him to the Far East Rand Hospital where he was put in a medically induced coma. Two days later he couldn’t breathe on his own and was put on life support,” explained his older brother, Dirk.

Ruhaan’s courage inspired family and the community to rally around him through a Back-a-Buddy fundraiser.

His family described him as a happy and playful child who loved teasing and play fighting with his older brother.

“He loves to help our dad work on cars, he also love bikes and taking things apart and putting them back together.

“He enjoys watching five-minute crafts on YouTube and playing games on our mom’s phone,” Dirk previously told the Advertiser.

His memorial service will be held at 11:00 tomorrow (Wednesday) at Sterktouring Church, 14 Mark Crescent in Strubenvale.

In a Facebook post, Dr WK du Plessis School, where Ruhaan was a learner, stated their hearts go out to Ruhaan’s family and friends.

“We ask that the WK-community will please keep his family in your prayers during this very difficult time. His smile will be missed around WK,” the post reads.

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