South African media personality, Maps Maponyane, has been idolized by many young South Africans who are hoping to replicate his successful career in the media industry. One fan in particular had a special place in Maps’ heart, as his one dream as a part of The Make A Wish Foundation which grants wishes for cancer patients, was to meet his idol and interview him on his on radio show.
The young man, Kyle Nhlapo, also known as Kari Omar, had sadly passed away and was laid to rest on Wednesday, 21 Wednesday, leaving Maps heart broken by the news. In an emotional post shared on his Instagram page, the media star stated, “ll never forget this day, and when I first met Kyle, aka @kari_omarr. I first found out about him when @5fm and @reach_for_a_dream told me about ambitious, and talented young man who had been fighting osteosarcoma (a cancer that produces immature bone) that was malignant in his knee. His one dream was to host his own radio show and to be able to interview me on it, so I happily obliged and we made it happen.”
Maps went on to explain that what was supposed to be a wish fulfilled for Kyle, turned out to be one of the happiest days of his life as he gained inexplicable perspective from a someone who was fighting for his life on the inside, yet remained so full of life on the out. Maps also shared that he had remained in intermittent communication with Kyle since meeting him, and was always made aware of charity drives which were helped to raise money for his treatment.
He concluded with, “Whenever I get to meet or talk to people that have encountered him, they have the most incredible things to say about him, he was the embodiment of positivity, and I just hope he realises the joy he brought to the lives of so many. Rest in Peace Kyle Nhlapo.”
The post also showed videos of Maps and Kyle’s first meeting, which brought tears to the eyes of many of his followers. Kyle appeared hosting his own show on 5FM as part of his Make A Wish dream, and was then surprised by Maps who quickly held on to him for a long embrace. Kyle was brought to tears as he remained speechless after meeting his idol. He kept stating that the entire experience felt surreal as all of his dreams had just come true.
