ZAKITHI NKOSI STEM CELL DONATION AWARENESS AND RECRUITMENT DRIVE

The Stanley & Daphne Nkosi Foundation (SDNF), supported by DKMS Africa, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), and the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is appealing for media partnership ahead of the Stem Cell & Blood Donation Drive.

Date: 13 December 2025

Venues: Maponya Mall

The drive is held in honour of Zakithi Nkosi, who passed away without a matching stem cell donor. Her story reflects a much wider reality: thousands of South Africans both adults and children face the same devastating barrier every year.

Why This Matters: The Numbers Tell a Difficult Story

Globally:

Blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma remain among the most serious health challenges worldwide. In 2020, cancer affected 19.3 million people and caused 10 million deaths, with blood cancers consistently ranking among the top contributors.

In South Africa:

More than 7,300 South Africans are diagnosed with blood cancer annually. Roughly 4,000 people die from blood cancer in the country each year. Blood cancers account for 33% of childhood cancers, affecting an estimated 5,000 children nationwide.

These aren’t just numbers. They are families, futures, and lives that could be saved with timely access to matching donors especially donors of African descent, who remain critically underrepresented on global registries.

Why We’re Requesting Media Interviews:

• Highlight the urgent shortage of stem cell and blood donors in South Africa
• Share the story of Zakithi Nkosi and the purpose behind this campaign
• Explain the donation process clearly and remove the fear and myths surrounding it
• Encourage South Africans (ages 17–55) to register through a simple cheek swab
• Mobilize communities to attend the 13 December activation

Proposed Spokespeople/Representatives

1. Mrs. Daphne Mashile Nkosi, Chairperson of SDNF and Mother of Zakithi Nkosi
2. Dr Malerato, SDNF
3. Dr Zakhele Mashile, Family Representative – SDNF
4. Ms. Nokwanda Mathenjwa, SANBS – Blood Donor Expert
5. Ms. Kedibone Zulu, DKMS Africa – Donor Registry Expert

Key Talking Points

• Zakithi Nkosi’s story and why this drive exists
• The urgent need for African donors
• What will happen on 13 December 2025
• Eligibility for blood and stem cell donation
• Myths vs facts about stem cell donation
• How the stem cell process works (simple, safe, lifesaving)

Interview Availability:

We are available for interviews between 6-11 December 2025. We can join in studio or virtually, depending on your format.

Contact Information:

Mpho Roberta Masondo, Consultant & Publicist

Email: mphoroberta@gmail.com