fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › Public Healthcare Crisis › Article

‘For me this is a calling’: Limpopo doctor uses own money to help poor patients get surgery

Timeslive · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 662 words · By Kabungane Biyela
Public Healthcare Crisis Philanthropy and Medical Ethics
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Ready to play
Daily briefing

What to know about Public Healthcare Crisis

For years, a Limpopo doctor watched patients sit on hospital waiting lists with little hope of ever getting surgery.

Claims checked 10
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

For years, a Limpopo doctor watched patients sit on hospital waiting lists with little hope of ever getting surgery.

Why it matters

Through his private practice and non-profit Khayalami organisation, Burgersfort doctor Ephraim Kgoete is helping patients who cannot afford surgery by raising funds and advocating for them to receive medical treatment.

Common ground

Kgoete previously worked in the public healthcare sector at Van Velden Memorial Hospital in Tzaneen, where he says he witnessed the harsh realities many patients face.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Appeal to Pity: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-27-for-me-this-is-a-callin…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Appeal to Pity 70% confidence
Evoking sympathy to win support rather than using logical arguments.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to pity helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 2
verified Verified 2
cancel Disputed 1
check_circle
Claim 1: “Kgoete said he also used profits from his kota business that he opened in 2017 before he became an independent practitioner to assist patients who cannot afford treatment”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (including a news video and a feature on 'the doctor selling Kotas') confirm he started a kota business in 2017 to fund medical treatments for patients.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dr Ephraim Kgoete, a general practitioner based in Burgersfort in Sekhukhune, has been running a kota stand since 2017, using every rand of profit to fund procedures for patients who have slipped thro…
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/sa-doctor-sells-kotas-fund-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dr Ephraim Kgoete is using his side hustle to fund surgeries for patients who cannot afford medical care and South Africa is inspired.The Sekhukhune doctor has become a local hero after using his kota…
https://www.ecr.co.za/shows/danny-tee/meet-the-doctor-sellin…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jaipur. Jodhpur. Kota. Udaipur. Bharatpur.
https://www.vmou.ac.in/
help
Claim 2: “Kgoete said a simple minor procedure can cost about R4,000 including consumables for after-treatment care”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding the specific cost of R4,000 for minor procedures.
info
Claim 3: “patients can register for assistance with superficial skin conditions such as keloids and cysts”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result explicitly quotes that patients can register for assistance with superficial skin conditions such as keloids and cysts, but no other independent source confirms this specific registration detail.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 26, 2026 · ” He said patients can register for assistance with superficial skin conditions such as keloids and cysts. Seamless & Secure Mobile Trading ...
https://www.facebook.com/100090678323845/videos/the-harsh-re…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 20, 2024 · We treat dermatological medical conditions like acne, eczema and melasma, but we also do cosmetic procedures like botox, laser,fillers and skin ...
https://www.tiktok.com/@matetemathobela/video/73485048850017…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 13, 2026 · Explore effective keloid removal options in Los Angeles, from professional treatments to at-home solutions for scar management.
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/keloid-the-biggest
verified
Claim 4: “Kgoete previously worked in the public healthcare sector at Van Velden Memorial Hospital in Tzaneen”
VERIFIED
A report from Health For Mzansi explicitly states that Kgoete worked as a medical officer at Van Velden Memorial Hospital in Tzaneen.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ephraim (/ ˈiːfriəm /; [1] Hebrew: אֶפְרַיִם, romanized: ʾEp̄rayīm, in pausa: אֶפְרָיִם ʾEp̄rāyīm) was, according to the Book of Genesis, the second son of Joseph ben Jacob and Asenath, as well as the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephraim
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 15, 2024 · Ephraim holds a significant place in biblical history, emerging as a prominent figure within the larger narrative of the Israelites. Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, were the s…
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/ephraim-bible.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ephraim is the name of Joseph's youngest of two sons, the firstborn being Manasseh (Genesis 41:52). After Jacob (Israel) migrated to the country with his entire family, he "adopted" the two boys and m…
https://www.biblestudy.org/meaning-names/ephraim.html
cancel
Claim 5: “Before opening his own practice, he spent five years working in the public healthcare system”
DISPUTED
There is a contradiction in the duration of his public service. One source (Health For Mzansi) states he worked as a medical officer for two years before starting his practice in 2021, while the claim asserts five years.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Oct 27, 2025 ... After a few years of medical practice, he took a bold leap into business and that's where our paths crossed again. The idea for Boitekanelo ...
https://www.facebook.com/luxnhlanhla/posts/-meet-dr-kgoetedr…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 10, 2023 ... ... Hospital in Tzaneen as a medical officer. After working as a medical officer for two years, Kgoete started his own medical practice in 2021.
https://healthformzansi.co.za/dr-kgoete-bends-over-backwards…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 27, 2026 ... The South African doctor is a hero. Dr Ephraim Kgoete from Limpopo sells kotas over the weekend in order to raise money for his patients who can ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXoRG1NDEnN/
info
Claim 6: “Kgoete obtained a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBChB) at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University”
SINGLE SOURCE
While search results mention Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in the context of other doctors or general mentions of the university, there is no specific evidence in the provided results confirming that Dr. Kgoete himself obtained his MBChB from this specific institution.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Oct 27, 2025 ... But for Dr Andile Molokomme, a Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University ... He continued his studies and obtained a postgraduate degree in ...
https://www.facebook.com/luxnhlanhla/posts/-meet-dr-kgoetedr…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 22, 2026 ... SEFAKO MAKGATHO HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE SCIENCES BUILDING Join the NEXTGEN shaping Health Science in SA 08 May 2026 SMU ...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXbw6pvjEeJ/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 12, 2026 ... Dr Ephraim Kgoete from Limpopo sells kotas over the weekend in order to ... SEFAKO MAKGATHO HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY South Africa ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUp3bkfDCmr/
check_circle
Claim 7: “I then raise funds through the BackaBuddy online campaign”
CORROBORATED
Both BackaBuddy and a news report confirm the use of the BackaBuddy platform to raise funds for patients' surgeries.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A people’s doctor. According to the Sunday Times, one of Kgoete’s most striking cases involved Thomas Mogale, a 54-year-old who spent over two decades living with disfiguring cysts on his face, too po…
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/sa-doctor-sells-kotas-fund-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dr Ephraim Kgoete (33) from Limpopo is raising funds for 43-year-old Petros Malepe, who has lived with a severe keloid on his chin for more than a decade. Thanks to the Khayalami Health Foundation and…
https://news.backabuddy.co.za/2025/09/02/petros-malepe-keloi…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A Sekhukhune doctor is trading his scrubs for an apron every weekend, selling kotas to raise money for patients who cannot afford surgery. Dr Ephraim Kgoete has been doing this since 2018. He has turn…
https://briefly.co.za/people/242188-medicine-calling-a-job-l…
verified
Claim 8: “In 2021, I opened my own private practice”
VERIFIED
Health For Mzansi explicitly confirms that Kgoete started his own medical practice in 2021.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dr ephraim kgoete. Qualifications. Not yet supplied.
https://www.udok.co.za/doctors/dr-ephraim-kgoete
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Practice Summary: Dr. Ephraim K. Brenman is a board-certified pain medicine physician, fellowship-trained in sports medicine and spinal conditions. He is certified by The American Board of Physical Me…
https://www.tsaog.com/physicians/ephraim-k-brenman/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — View Refilwe Kgoete’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.
https://za.linkedin.com/in/refilwe-kgoete-3703529b
help
Claim 9: “the highest donation they have received through the BackaBuddy campaign was R30,000”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding the specific amount of the highest donation (R30,000).
check_circle
Claim 10: “Burgersfort doctor Ephraim Kgoete is helping patients who cannot afford surgery by raising funds and advocating for them to receive medical treatment through his private practice and non-profit Khayalami organisation”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (BackaBuddy, Daily Sun, and a news video report) confirm Dr. Ephraim Kgoete uses his private practice and the Khayalami Health Foundation to raise funds and advocate for patients needing surgery.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Kgoete’s non-profit, Khayalami, uses BackaBuddy fundraisers to cover hospital bills, medication, and aftercare for those who need private procedures.
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/sa-doctor-sells-kotas-fund-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dr Ephraim Kgoete (33) from Limpopo is raising funds for 43-year-old Petros Malepe, who has lived with a severe keloid on his chin for more than a decade. Thanks to the Khayalami Health Foundation and…
https://news.backabuddy.co.za/2025/09/02/petros-malepe-keloi…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Petros Malepe and Dr Ephraim Kgoete, chairman of Khayalami Foundation at Petros' home in Manoke Village in Burgersfort, Limpopo. KELOID patient plans to go back to playing soccer after a decade-long s…
https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/news/petros-ready-for-idiski-…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.