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Courageous Hearts Foundation

Hope that someone cares.

We walk alongside South African families facing serious and rare illness, easing the practical, emotional and financial weight so they can focus on what matters. It started with one brave young man and a community with a huge heart.

Our story

Our story

Our story

It started with Nico…

Nico Botha was 19 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. What followed was a fight no 19-year-old, and no family, should ever have to face.

But through it all, Nico showed extraordinary courage, and the people around him saw first-hand how much the things outside the hospital room matter too.

Nico smiling from his hospital bed
Nico beside a helicopter on his fundraising day
A letterboard announcing Nico’s golf day

…and a community with a huge heart.

In 2025, when our dearest Nico was facing an incredibly difficult medical journey, our community came together to support him and his family. We organised two fun runs and a golf day, and through the incredible generosity of so many people, we raised enough to cover all his medical expenses.

What happened during that time was truly remarkable.

  • People came together.
  • Businesses opened their doors.
  • Friends brought friends.
  • Strangers became supporters.

And so many people gave their time, their energy, their resources and, most importantly, their hearts.

Supporters at the 2025 fun run
Friends and families taking part in the fun run
The community gathered for Nico
Supporters at the 2025 golf day
Golf carts lined up on the course
A helicopter landing at the golf day
Runners gathered behind the fun run banner
A helicopter flying a banner over the course

The Courageous Hearts Foundation was born.

Born from courage, community and an overwhelming amount of love. Nico’s journey showed us the extraordinary difference people can make when they come together, and opened our eyes to the many families facing serious or rare illnesses.

We created Courageous Hearts to carry that love forward: supporting families when life feels overwhelming, easing practical, emotional and financial burdens, offering education, mentorship and awareness, and building a compassionate community so families do not walk alone.

Above all, we want to bring hope.

  • Hope that someone cares.
  • Hope that you are not alone.
  • Hope that even in the hardest moments, there can still be kindness, connection and joy.
A golfer celebrating with arms raised

How we help

What we do

We created Courageous Hearts to carry that love forward.

Support families when life feels overwhelming

We show up for families in the hardest season of their lives, so nobody has to carry it alone.

Ease practical, emotional and financial burdens

From transport and groceries to a roof near the hospital, we take care of the things outside the ward.

Education, mentorship and awareness

We help families understand what they are facing and connect them with people who have walked the road.

A community so families do not walk alone

Businesses, friends and strangers who became supporters: a compassionate community around every family.

Upcoming · Our biggest fundraiser of the year

Two legaciesTwo life-changing causesOne unforgettable dayFourballs selling out

Thursday, 5 November 2026 · Ruimsig Country Club

Hope and Legacy Golf Day

Ruimsig Country Club at sunset
  • Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
  • Venue: Ruimsig Country Club
  • Tee-off: 11:00 shotgun start

This year, we’re playing for…

Hope looks different to every family: a wheelchair, flights to treatment, a roof near the hospital, groceries.

The money from this golf day goes to real people with real needs.

The families we play for in 2026 will be introduced to our sponsors closer to the day.

In partnership with

JSC Legacy

JSC Legacy was founded to honour the extraordinary life and legacy of Joseph Saul, who battled a lifelong kidney disease yet never allowed adversity to define him.

Tier 1

Naming Rights Partner

R60 000

  • Radio airtime
  • Live on-air interview
  • Headline the live charity bidding war
  • + 6 more on the golf day page

Tier 2

Major Partner

R20 000

  • On-course branding
  • Social exposure
  • Goodie bag presence
  • + 3 more on the golf day page

Tier 3

Supporting Partner

R10 000

  • Social exposure
  • One fourball
  • A hole to activate
  • + 1 more on the golf day page

R6 000 per fourball · R1 500 each · carts, halfway lunch and dinner included

See the full golf day page

Letichia van Rensburg and Donné Ayres on the course

The hearts behind the hope

What began with one brave young man and a community wanting to help has grown into a vision to help many more.

“The Courageous Hearts Foundation is not only about illness. It is about people, community, courage and the difference we can make when we stand together.”
Letichia van Rensburg and Donné Ayres, Founders

One story started it.

A community made it possible.

And together, we hope to make a difference in many more lives.

Let’s talk

Get involved

Sponsor the golf day, book a fourball, or simply tell us how you would like to help. We reply to every message.

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