“Never Write Off a Person”: Bongi Enjoys Himself Around Family in Viral Video After Rehab, SA Moved

• A young man who recently completed a stint at a rehabilitation centre has touched the hearts of many after sharing a glimpse of his recovery journey.
• The footage shared on TikTok captured the former addict dancing joyfully with his family just one week after his release from the facility.
• Social media users expressed their deep relief and support for his transformation, with many urging him to remain on the path of sobriety.

A powerful video of a young man embracing his second chance at life sparked an emotional wave across the internet after it was shared on January 24 2026.

The heartwarming clip taken at a Johannesburg home was shared by TikTok user @bonginkosinamane, widely known as Bongi, gaining public attention from viewers who had watched his journey from the beginning.

Having completed his program just over a week ago, Bongi was filmed looking clean, neat, and noticeably healthier than before his recovery journey began. TikTok user @bonginkosinamane was seen dancing in a circle as his family members, ranging from the young to the elderly, gathered around to watch him flex his moves to an Amapiano track. With a radiant smile and a fuller physique, his physical transformation served as a testament to the positive impact of his time in the facility.

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The ripple effect of addiction on the family unit

Addiction functions as a “family disease” that erodes trust, disrupts communication, and creates chronic emotional stress for everyone involved. Within the home, it often leads to a breakdown of stability, resulting in financial hardship, secrecy, and even physical or verbal aggression. According to the Addiction Centre, children specifically can suffer significant developmental delays and face a higher risk of developing their own substance use disorders in adulthood due to this environment. Fortunately, comprehensive family therapy offers a proven path toward rebuilding these fractured relationships and restoring a sense of safety within the household.

Watch the TikTok video below:

SA rallies behind Bongi’s bright future

The clip went viral, gaining 1.6M views, 141K likes, and 3.1K comments from deeply moved social media users. Many viewers praised his progress and pleaded with him to stay focused and avoid falling back into old habits. The conversation also touched on the importance of “tough love,” with fans noting that Bongi’s family played a crucial role in pushing him toward the right path. Some were so impressed by his charisma and energy that they suggested he audition for Big Brother Mzansi, promising to vote for him if he entered the show to further showcase his personality.

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User @Matsinga commented:

"Never write off a person. Look at Bongi, glowing; there is hope for others. Ntate Moloto and Bongi's family deserve a round of applause, they never gave up!"

User @Tsholo shared:

"Bongi❤️‍🔥, please audition for Big Brother Mzantsi 🙏."

User @Beloved said:

"South Africa is proud of you💐."

User @N added:

"This proves that we all just need people who genuinely care and want the best for us, in a way that they see beyond our pain, trauma and anger."

User @DAZZIRYL CHABALALA said:

"My favourite stranger in the whole world 🥰."

User @Lindiwe commented:

"Tough love from people who really care is important. Your family didn’t give up on you, even when you gave them enough reasons to. Big up to them 🙌🏽🤭."

3 Briefly News articles about former substance abusers

• Former substance-dependent man, Bongi, celebrated his departure from a Polokwane treatment facility after half a year of recovery, impressing many viewers who were following his journey.
• A powerful video documented 35-year-old Bongi's forced entry into rehabilitation, capturing his initial defiance towards recovery, and his glow-up after a few weeks at the rehab.
• A Cape Town man openly shared his challenging nine-year struggle with substance dependency that pushed him to the streets, and he lived there for many years.

Source: Briefly News