Khati, 27, is asking for financial assistance to fund life-changing eye surgery that could restore his vision and allow him to continue coaching, mentoring young athletes, and building a future in the technology sector. He was diagnosed with an eye condition in his early twenties and is now living with severe visual impairment.

In 2020, he was diagnosed with keratoconus, a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge outward. The condition has left him with severe visual impairment. His right eye is no longer functional, and his left eye provides only 30% to 40% vision.

It usually develops in the teenage years or early 20s, affecting both eyes, and causes irregular astigmatism. Symptoms include blurry vision, distorted vision, sensitivity to light, halos around lights, and rapidly changing eyeglass prescriptions.

“In short, it’s where your cornea starts bulging forward into a cone shape over time,” said Khati. “You eventually get blind. And this is where I’m at right now.”

“I think I’m deemed legally blind; the impact of the condition has affected me in so many ways, in every way that you can think of. The doctor said a successful transplant is the only thing that can save me and give me a second chance at full vision.”

Doctors have advised that the only viable solution is corneal transplant surgery for both eyes, for R90,000 per eye, which makes R180,000 in total, he said.

The passionate basketball player, coach, and tech enthusiast was raised in Bloemfontein, where he attended school at Calculus Schools and Navalsig High School before furthering his studies at Vaal University of Technology.

The passionate basketball player and coach doing what he loves. Photo supplied

Khati’s work in business IT requires long hours in front of screens, which has now become difficult.  His basketball career, both as a player and a coach, has also suffered, despite having trained and travelled to the United States, including New York, two years ago.

To make the transplant possible, Khati has started a Back-a-Buddy campaign. And has appealed to the public to donate, share his story, and offer words of encouragement.

“I would really appreciate any assistance I can get; this surgery would give me my life back.”

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame cvs