Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels Fund Helps Radio Presenter Bongani Nxumalo Regain His Eyesight

Bongani Nxumalo is no stranger to the South African and international entertainment industry. His impressive CV includes sport presenting on a Gauteng breakfast radio show, performing as Mufasa in the long-running Los Angeles stage production of The Lion King, performances with international stars like Hugh Masekela and Jonathan Butler. He even had a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

However the past few years have been incredibly difficult for Bongani as he started to lose his eyesight. His condition has deteriorated so much that he found himself unable to read scripts, drive, or work as a radio, voice, and performing artist anymore, leaving him destitute.

Down-and-out, Bongani found a safe space when he joined a Men’s Group at his church to find support and guidance. This is where he met Dave Stewart, who runs the group. With the help of members of the church, Bongani has been give shelter and help with daily living. They’ve also assisted to have his eyes examined and the specialist says there is a very good chance that Bongani can regain a good percentage of his sight, with cataract and growth removal from his eyes. This however comes at a hefty price, of around R145 000.

This inspired Dave to reach out to Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels for help. "I would desperately like to give something back to this gentle and humble soul who loves people and really deserves for someone to do something for him for once”, Dave wrote in his motivation.  In a bid to help, Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angel Fund will assist with R100 000 towards Bongani’s eye operations which will enable him to regain his eyesight and ability to work and provide for his family.

“Bongani was a very special guest on the show. It was a bit of a reunion of sorts because he worked with Philicity, Xola as well as our producer Megan at another radio station. I just loved watching them all get together and reminisce. For me, when it comes to giving and caring and sharing it should never be about competition at all. If you can do something to help someone, then do it,” Martin Bester shares. “The important thing was that he needed help and we could offer it. What a pleasure it was to be able to help someone like him with all his talents and that amazing voice. I really hope that it’s a great success and that he gets back to doing what he loves - using his voice for voiceovers and radio work within our entertainment industry. That is where he deserves to be and I am sure with the help he will get now, he will be back at work real soon.”

Martin adds that Jacaranda FM’s community continues to inspire him. “This just goes to show once again the amazing community we have with Good Morning Angels and the listeners that reached out to him and assisted him out of their own pockets. The kindness is just absolutely staggering.”

Listen to Good Morning Angels every Wednesday morning on Jacaranda FM’s Breakfast With Martin Bester.