South Africans are devastated after one of the popular social media personalities, Bonga Sithole, famous for his intelligence, allegedly fled from rehab after being booked into the facility by the 2022 Mrs South Africa finalist, Sisanda Qwabe-Coutaud.
The 35-year-old whose videos of him begging on the streets in Auckland Park, Joburg while speaking intelligently about all manner of subjects, captured the hearts of South Africans with many offering to assist him and take him off the streets
Qwabe-Coutaud had that conversation with Bonga and took a video, shared it online and it went viral and made Bonga famous. She then decided to help him as she was impressed by how brilliant he was and believed he could do something about his life.
Qwabe-Coutaud then took Bonga into her home, celebrated his birthday, and checked him into rehab.
She said she was determined to help Bonga get his life back on track. However, she was unprepared for the heartbreaking call she got over the weekend.
She was so overwhelmed that she broke down and cried on TikTok.
“I have just woken up now; it’s almost midnight here in Indonesia. Bonga discharged himself from the rehab, citing he has to follow his spiritual calling. He did not communicate with me about his decision; I’m just hoping it’s for the best.
“I’m hurt a lot because there’s a lot at stake. Bonga has a lot going on for him. He has two jobs waiting for him that were planned for January when he comes back from rehab. I’m broken.”said Bonga Sithole was given opportunities as a voice over artist and 2 jobs were awaiting for him, subsequent to being discharged from rehab,” said Qwabe-Coutaud. .
After fifteen years on the streets at Campus Square in Auckland Park and being addicted to drugs, Qwabe-Coutaud thought she could change him to a better person.
The news of Bonga trended on social media especially on Twitter where South Africans shared their disappointment with some not even surprised.
A Tweep by Man’s Not Barry Roux @AdvocateBarryRoux set the tone:”My main man English Bonga has, like I told you, pulled off a nice heist, and now he’s skipped rehab. Baqede boy. Perambulate their medullas!
Another Tweet by Mercedes @Nothando_K said: “Unemployed youth when they hear Bonga has two jobs waiting for him in January”.