While this is the peak season for all sorts of turns up, there are individuals and teams
that are working hard to not only bring about good vibes, but also to remind us that
we have a responsibility to give back to our own. This year, we were privileged to
have been able to cover the Disebo Cancer Foundation’s All White Extravaganza.
With the event running for its second year, we thought it would be appropriate to
shift the spotlight to this young organisation that is set on influencing change within
the community, and educating it.

The Disebo Cancer Foundation came into existence in 2011, after Teboho Mahamane
lost both her mother (whom the foundation was named after) and grandmother to
cancer within the short space of a year. Having realised that many of her mother’s
possessions remained unoccupied, along with the help of her family and friends,
Mahamane began gathering her deceased mother’s clothes to donate to the less
fortunate. In doing so, she extended the initiative to neighbours. It was then that the
small and humbling gesture gained momentum that even she could not fathom. The
initiative continued throughout the years, with the team pushing their efforts out of
their own pockets, the foundation eventually became registered as an official non-
profit organisation.

Now, Disebo Cancer Foundation is a force within the community that seeks to not
only provide for the needy by providing food parcels for struggling families, but also
by jumping on the band wagon of raising Cancer awareness. Some of their
campaigns they have run in the past include the No Bra Monday which was executed
in 2014 during the official Cancer Awareness month, October. This rather
controversially sensual campaign had a much deeper intended meaning as
Mahamane explained, “What we basically did was organise a campaign where we
raised Cancer awareness where every Monday, a woman needs to post a picture
wearing a white shirt with no bra on. That was us saying that Cancer is not just for
women, men can get breast cancer as well. This is us saying that let your breasts
breath; go for a mammogram, take care of yourself, and love your breasts enough
that you know how to take care of them.” This year the team ran a campaign where
supporters posted pictures of the Cancer sign in the palm of their hands, and they
received an overwhelming sense of support from locals, as well as local celebrities
such as DJ Zinhle, Masechaba Lekalake, Riky Rick to name a few.

Their annual All White Extravaganza is aimed at raising funds as part of their three-
day Christmas drive, where they team takes all the proceeds to put together food
parcels for families. This three-day Christmas drive includes a visit to cancer patients
who are often forced to spend Christmas in their hospital beds as Bongani Hospital.
As an initiative that undoubtedly appeals to the youth, Mahamane explained that
those who wish to assist the team in any way, with sponsors or having an interest in
being a part of the group, that individuals should feel free to contact the team but
should most importantly be with them during the Christmas drive that they run each
year.

With the first part of the event’s programme including heart-warming testimonies
from a nurse who has worked in the Oncology ward for 12 years, and another from a
close family friend who has survived her battle with Cancer twice. These formed part
of a rather informative session, in which attendees were offered the chance to also
ask questions while also being rewarded with a bottle during the quiz session.
As a youth initiative, The Disebo Cancer Foundation prides itself in being a
foundation “for the youth, by the youth”, and this is seen by the involvement of local
designers and performers. “We made sure we invited people who are passionate
about what it is that they do, as much as we are passionate about the foundation,
whether it is photography, fashion or music, we just want to be here celebrating
everyone while raising funds.”

We look forward to seeing this foundation growing, especially with plans to growing
their reach to other towns and cities, such as Bloemfontein. The team that continues
to work hard behind the scenes remains a true testament that not every loss
suffered is a defeat, but some propel us to be effective in changing our communities.

Contacts:
Facebook: The Disebo Cancer Foundation
Instagram: The Disebo Cancer Foundation
Email: thedisebocancerfoundation@gmail.com