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Lenasia matric learner says he got nothing from R34,000 campaign

Published

Thabang Kgasane, 21, says none of the money raised for him on BackaBuddy reached him. Organiser Vuyisa Sigonyela says the funds were meant to help other needy learners too, and that about R5,600 of the R26,000 paid out has been spent.

The campaign, called "Because of Thabang", began after a TikTok video that Sigonyela recorded. The video drew 3.8-million views. Kgasane attends Moses Maren Mission Technical Secondary School in Lenasia. He says he raised R11,000 in his personal bank account.

Kgasane claims the BackaBuddy money went into Sigonyela's bank account, not his. He also claims Sigonyela dismissed his concerns as childish. He says Sigonyela suggested using campaign funds for a driver's licence and a firearm licence, then insisted on a code 10 licence over his preferred code 14.

Sigonyela says the campaign was never meant as a direct payout to Kgasane. He claims Kgasane spent his own donations on non-essential items and gambled. He also says part of the money went on Kgasane's matric dance partner.

Sigonyela said he is considering legal action against Kgasane for defamation. He said he is open to sending the remaining balance to the school principal. BackaBuddy paid out R26,000 after platform fees, Sigonyela said.

Key facts

Who
Thabang Kgasane (21-year-old learner at Moses Maren Mission Technical Secondary School who was…); Vuyisa Sigonyela (person who recorded the viral video and launched the BackaBuddy campaign…); Moses Maren Mission Technical Secondary School (school attended by Kgasane); BackaBuddy (crowdfunding platform used for the campaign)
What
A public dispute has erupted between Thabang Kgasane, a matric learner from Lenasia, and Vuyisa Sigonyela, who ran a crowdfunding campaign launched after a viral video, over how more than R34,000 in donations was disbursed and used. Kgasane alleges he got none of the BackaBuddy money; Sigonyela says the funds were meant for other needy learners and that about R5,600 of the R26,000 disbursed has…
When
23 October 2026
Where
Lenasia, Lavender Street, South Africa
Status
Reported

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