Caleb Anyakudo, from Eldorado Park in Gauteng, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) in July of 2023. A year of intense chemotherapy as an inpatient followed that resulted in the above-knee amputation (transfemoral) of his right leg on 8 January 2024 at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. He was 16 years old at the time.

In November of 2024 Caleb formed part of HOT 102.7 FM’s Hot Cares Christmas drive, and appealed to the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund for support. Caleb was subsequently fitted with his first sponsored prosthesis that same month.

Since then, Caleb has been able to regain normal movement with his prosthetic device, stating that, ‘it has really made movement easier for me’.

Currently busy with his Online GED, (General Educational Development) – a high school equivalency diploma, internationally recognized, that allows individuals to pursue further education and is considered a Grade 12 equivalent in South Africa, Caleb is passionate about science and hopes to study Business and Technology in the future.

Caleb was selected as a The Star Foundation beneficiary in 2025.

Q&A

1. What is your favourite subject at school and why?

Science is my favourite subject because it taps into my natural curiosity and desire to understand the world around me. Science provides a framework for exploring and answering questions, offering explanations for phenomena and fostering a sense of wonder and discovery which I enjoy.

2. What would you like to pursue as a career one day?

I would like to pursue a career in Business and Technology.

3. What types of sport and extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I attend a gym in my area 3/4 times a week after school, and I enjoy learning about coding, design, branding and trading in my spare time online.

4. What do you hope to try with your new prosthetic sport blade?

I would like to get to a point where I can run really fast with my prosthetic device.

5. What is your message to children living with a physical challenge?

Sometimes kids stare at my prosthetic device and ask, ‘What is that?’, and I say, ‘Well, this is my helper leg. My leg had to be amputated to save my life, so I use this prosthetic device, and it helps make movement easier’. Sometimes we just need to be bold and courageously teach other kids that everyone has different ways of living and moving around in the world, that disability is a normal part of the human experience. When we speak openly and educate people about it in a matter-of-fact way, that it’s simply part of the tapestry that makes up our diverse world, it’s not something that is scary or frightening.