​In a heartwarming turn of events, 11-year-old Grade 5 learner Sandile Hela this week returned to Sebokeng Hospital, not as a patient, but as a young philanthropist. 
Just over a year ago, Sandile was rushed into the hospital's emergency unit, critically injured in a devastating scholar transport accident. On Thursday, 7 August, the young man walked back through those same doors full of life and gratitude, bringing gifts for the children who now occupy the beds he once lay in.
On 28 May 2024, Sandile, then 10-years-old, was involved in a tragic motor vehicle accident that left him with multiple fractures in both legs and one arm, kidney trauma, extensive bruising, and severe blood loss. His condition was critical. He was transported to Sebokeng Hospital along with other injured children. His mother, Nomsa Hela, described him as 'almost lifeless' when he arrived.
"From the moment he entered the hospital until the day he was discharged, the care he received was nothing short of a miracle. Watching my son walk out of the hospital on his own two feet was a moment we will cherish forever," said Nomsa.
Over the course of eleven months, Sandile underwent intensive treatment and rehabilitation. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, treated in the Children's Ward, and received care from departments including Theatre, Outpatient, X-Ray and Physiotherapy amongst others. Each team played a vital role in his recovery, demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and teamwork.
On 10 April 2025, Sandile was permanently discharged. The hospital staff, many of whom had grown close to the Hela family, described his recovery as a miracle.
Now, Sandile has returned to the Paediatric Ward with his family to give back to the place that gave him a second chance at life. Accompanied by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Hela family donated fleece blankets, teddy bears, and toys to young patients currently admitted to the ward.
While presenting the gifts, Nomsa expressed her deep appreciation. "We came back not just to say thank you, but to show other families that healing is possible. Sebokeng Hospital gave us hope when we had none."
During the Gauteng Department of Health's Budget Vote 2025, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko invited Sandile and his family as her special guests to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. 
While at Sebokeng Hospital with the family to donate the gifts, the MEC praised Sandile's recovery as a powerful example of what public healthcare can achieve.
"This is what a caring health system looks like. It saves lives, restores dignity, and gives families like the Hela family a second chance. Sandile's journey reminds us why we must continue investing in compassionate and quality care," said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Sandile's story is more than a tale of survival. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of healthcare rooted in compassion and excellence. From patient to philanthropist, Sandile is now a beacon of hope for others, showing that even in the face of tragedy, healing and generosity can flourish.