“My Heart Breaks For This Mommy”: SA Mom Gets Help After Son Suffers Heart Attack Playing Cricket

• Kyle Lessing, 13, collapsed during a school cricket match while representing Laerskool Dr Havinga on the West Rand
• Kyle suffered brain damage after his heart stopped for 20 minutes, and he remains under sedation at a Johannesburg hospital
• Jacaranda FM's Good Morning Angels stepped in to support his single mother as she prepares for an uncertain future

A 13-year-old boy from the West Rand is fighting for his life after collapsing on a cricket pitch during a school match. Kyle Lessing, who played cricket for Laerskool Dr Havinga, suffered a heart attack on 3 August 2026 while telling his coach he was not feeling well.

When Kyle collapsed, he stopped breathing. A teacher immediately began CPR and worked to keep him alive for 20 minutes until paramedics arrived and were able to restore his heartbeat.

Kyle has been under sedation at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg ever since. An MRI scan confirmed he suffered brain damage caused by the loss of oxygen to his brain during the cardiac episode. Doctors have yet to identify the underlying heart condition responsible for the attack.

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A family already carrying heavy loss

Kyle's mother, Charlene, is a single parent and sales consultant who works on commission. She and Kyle, along with his 14-year-old sister Chloe, lost their father a few years ago, leaving Charlene as the sole provider for her two children.

Each day, Charlene makes the trip to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital to sit with her son during the only visiting window allowed, between 13:00 and 15:00.

The road ahead for Kyle and his family remains deeply uncertain. Charlene knows their lives will look very different going forward, regardless of how Kyle's recovery unfolds. A BackaBuddy campaign has been started on their behalf.

Good Morning Angels steps in

The school community and family friends reached out to Jacaranda FM's Good Morning Angels on Charlene's behalf. The initiative, part of the Jacaranda 94.2 breakfast show hosted by Martin Bester, responded to help the family prepare for whatever lies ahead. A community campaign called #BlueForKyle also emerged, calling on supporters to wear blue on Friday, 28 August, in a show of solidarity for Kyle and his family.

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South Africans rallied behind the story in the comments on Jacaranda FM's Facebook page:

Charlotte Holt wrote:

"Ai jinne, I heard that. I can't imagine the hurt she is feeling"

Sylvia Nel said:

"Incredibly sad. Sending healing thoughts 💙"

Benita Opperman shared:

"My heart breaks for this mommy. I was listening this morning. I am a very blessed mom with three healthy children. Mom, I pray for you and your children. You are an iron lady and a mother 1000..."

Elizmari Du Plessis added:

"#blueforkyle Thank you, Jacaranda and Good Morning Angels, for being there to help Kyle, Charlene and his sister Chloe. 💙"

Martie du Plessis wrote:

"Thank you, Good Morning Angels and Martin Bester. Amazing, so thankful this mother really deserves the best; she is an amazing mother, and her children are blessed to have her as their mom 💙"

View the Facebook post here.

More Briefly News stories on children

• The Free State Footprints Foundation brought joy to children in Bethlehem by donating books, shoes and school uniforms to support their education and wellbeing.
• Newcastle High School is mourning the death of Grade 10 learner Junior Reginald Khumalo, who passed away on 12 August 2026, leaving the school community grieving his loss.
• South Africans are mourning 19-year-old college student Asemahle Hanisi, who was found dead in Citrusdal a week after going missing following a school event, with police investigating her death.

Source: Briefly News