By Anita Dangazele
- Thabang Kgasane, 21, raised money for his matric dance by holding a handwritten sign at a Lenasia intersection.
- His story has since sparked a campaign, Because of Thabang, that has already raised over R6,700 to help other struggling matric learners.
Thabang Kgasane stood at the traffic lights on Lavender Street in Lenasia, still in his school uniform, holding a handwritten sign that read “Matric Dance Donations.”
On his first attempt, he raised about R300. He went back and raised R1,500 more. Then someone filmed him, and the video spread far beyond that one intersection.
Thabang, 21, is a learner at Moses Maren Mission Technical Secondary School in Johannesburg. His matric dance is set for 23 September, and the costs, a suit, shoes and other expenses, were something his family couldn’t comfortably afford. Rather than put more pressure on them, he decided to try raising the money himself.
Once his video spread, South Africans responded with donations, offers of clothing and transport, and messages of encouragement. Someone offered the use of a V-Class vehicle for the evening. What Thabang needs for the dance itself has since been covered.
But as more people learned about Thabang, they discovered his matric dance was only the most visible part of a much harder story. He lives largely independently in Johannesburg, managing with limited financial support. He has spoken openly about repeating Grades 3, 7 and 10 while growing up in the Eastern Cape, before his academic performance improved after moving to Gauteng.
He hopes to study civil engineering at university, and would be the first person in his family to obtain a matric certificate.
“I’m motivated and I don’t give up easily,” he has said.
“I go after what I want and I believe I will achieve my goals regardless of what people say.”
His determination is what eventually caught the attention of campaign organiser Vuyisa Sigonyela.
Sigonyela, who helped mobilise support around Thabang, said his matric dance needs were only the beginning.
“We are helping him now with housing, food and other essentials,” he said.
Sigononyela said other students facing their own financial struggles began reaching out. Rather than closing the fundraiser once Thabang had what he needed for his matric dance, Sigonyela created Because of Thabang on BackaBuddy.
The campaign aims to raise R100,000 to support matric learners from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, covering costs like school fees, uniforms, stationery, and university applications. Six days in, 52 donors have given over R12 000 towards supporting Thabang and other students facing financial barriers during their final years of school.
One person gave R30 with the message: “It is not much but I hope it helps.” Another gave R50, writing: “I hope the little I am donating will help.”
“His courage started it,” the campaign says.
Thabang remains at the centre of the initiative, but he’s no longer its only beneficiary.
Pictured above: Matric pupil, Thabang Kgasane, 21, stood at a Lenasia traffic light asking strangers for matric dance money. His story has since grown into a fund helping other struggling students too.
Image source: Supplied
