His dream was to sit in a race car and, thanks to Paedspal, this dream became a reality for Siyabonga Mokoena (11).
Based in Rondebosch, Paedspal provides palliative care services and support for critically ill children and their families.
Siya, who is being treated for degenerativeleiomyopathy – a rare disorder that affects the nerves and muscles of the intestines – was put in contact with the centre through the Red Cross Hospital where he is being treated.
It is through Paedspal that Siyabonga’s dream, to sit in a real race car, was realised on Saturday 4 March.
Siya’s mom Grace, who hails from Table View, says Siya has always liked race cars. She says it started with “Lightning McQueen” from the animation movie Cars, who is still his favourite movie character, but from there a love for racing cars developed.
In real life, Siya is however in a race against time and will be lucky if he lives past the age of 16. Currently there is no cure for the rare disorder which he suffers from and doctors can only manage the symptoms.
“For now he is doing fine,” says Grace who hasn’t given up hope that someone will find a cure.
“We’re being positive and praying for the best, that’s all we can do for now,” adds her best friend, Kamo Mtshali, who has been Grace’s tower of strength since Siya was diagnosed.
The driver’s seat that Siya got to try out earlier this month belongs to Dee-Jay Booysen from Burgundy Estate, current Formula Libre champion.
Booysen says he was contacted by an acquaintance who is involved with the hospital and Paedspal and when he heard Siya’s story, jumped at the opportunity.
“No one likes being ill and for a moment it allowed him to forget about it all,” says Booysen.
Siya, his mom and sister, as well as Mtshali and her children, were invited to spend Saturday at Killarney Raceway where the second round of the Power Series roared to life.
Moments before, Siya had the opportunity to sit in the Formula VW that Booysen has been racing for the past three years and in which he clinched both the Formula Libre Class S and overall championship titles last year.
Booysen says they even started the car for Siya. “Just the smile on his face made it worth it,” says Booysen. “It reminded me of the times I came to Killarney as a child and were looking up to my role models.
“Siya and his family are amazing people and it was an honour for Team Dico to have them as our guests.”
To make the day even more special, Booysen also had some supporter caps made for Siya as well as a signed poster with Siya’s name printed on it.
“I also offered to help him if he wants to give motorsport a try when he is older. Siya is an amazing child and having him and his family in our garage made my day special.”
After his turn in Booysen’s red Formula VW, Siya also jumped into the Formula Vee of Dico teammate, Ryno Pentz.
Grace says she is amazed and thankful for all the effort to make Siya’s day special.
“Dee-Jay went out of his way and made our day extra fun.”
She adds that Peadspal has also been amazing in their support from the get-go.
Angela Rackstraw, who is Siya’s art psychotherapist at Paedspal, says it all started when they were talking about dreams. Her nephew, Andrew Rackstraw, who is an RDSA Formula 1600 driver, had just competed in The Cape International Nine-Hour endurance race held at Kyalami in December last year.
The race was won by the MJR Audi R8 of Luca Engstler, Andrew Rackstraw and Kwanda Mokoena.
In the process, 18-year-old Mokoena became South Africa’s first black endurance sports car racing champion.
Angela says she showed Siya photographs taken at the race, and with Kwanda sharing his surname, Siya’s excitement went into overgear. The original plan was for Siya to meet Andrew, but racing schedules got in the way and in stepped Booysen, who, Angela says, took it to a whole new level.
Siya was again at the Killarney race track on Saturday 18 March, and this time he did get to shake hands with Andrew.
Angela shares that Siya, together with other children from his school in Blaauwberg, got to meet and greet the racers during the Fan Walk held at 13:00.
She says the whole experience has been so uplifting for both Siya and his mom, Grace.
“Siya’s mom told me during the week that he feels he is the luckiest boy in the world. That is what we try and do at Paedspal. We try and get our patients and our families to live each day fully while they can.”
- For more information on Paedspal, visit paedspal.org.za
