08-07-2025
Finding Luigi: Homeless Bok superfan's family reported him missing, then saw him on News24
Homeless Springboks fan Alan Strydom, aka Luigi, shot to fame this month when Johan Kotze decided to take him to the Springboks vs Barbarians game in Cape Town.
It has since emerged that his family has been looking for him since February.
His sister, Charmelle, said the family saw News24's article via its WhatsApp channel and couldn't believe it was him.
When Johan Kotze took a homeless man to watch the Springboks play in Cape Town, he didn't know the kind gesture could reunite the man with his long-lost family.
After the story of Kotze and Alan Strydom, nicknamed Luigi, went public, the homeless man's family came forward.
The family is based in Gqeberha and haven't seen Strydom since February… until they saw his face in an article on News24's WhatsApp channel last week.
Kotze and Strydom captured the nation's hearts last week after Johan offered his spare Springboks ticket to Alan, who was preparing to sleep under the circle close to DHL Stadium at the time. The pair began chatting and Kotze learnt that he was an avid rugby fan. Moved by his story, Kotze decided to take him along.
Now a reunion for the Strydom family is on the cards.
'As a family, we are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy after discovering that our beloved brother, Alan Strydom, was spotted at the Springboks game at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town,' his sister Charmelle said in a letter to News24.
'Imagine our surprise and relief when we stumbled upon an article featuring Alan, accompanied by Johan Kotze, enjoying the rugby match. The article highlighted Johan's humanitarian act of taking a homeless man to the game, unaware that the man in question was our brother.'
Alan, a psychiatric patient at Fort England Psychiatric Institution in Makhanda, has been missing since 15 February 2025.
'We were beside ourselves with worry, unsure of his whereabouts or well-being. Our mother's health deteriorated rapidly since Alan went missing,' Charmelle continued.
According to the family, the hospital's programmes have been instrumental in helping him manage his condition, teaching him valuable coping mechanisms.
'He also became a facilitator of these programmes at Fort England hospital, helping others with the same problems as his.
'However, he still needs to take his medication and report back to the hospital from time to time. He defaulted on his leave from hospital when he left home without informing anyone of his whereabouts.'
Supplied by Charmelle Oliveira
News24 spent three nights last week searching for Strydom at known homeless spots on the Atlantic Seaboard, with no success. Only one person knew him but couldn't say where he was.
Kotze, of Riebeek West, also returned to Cape Town last week to try and find his new friend, with no success either. He also appeared on SABC's Expresso show on Monday to relay the inspiring story from the Barbarians game.
In keeping with the ripple effect of kindness emanating from this story, a viewer of the show, Aphiwe Nsimbi, offered to give Charmelle his ticket to the Springboks match against Italy in Gqeberha this coming Saturday, 12 July, because he is no longer able to make it.
News24 would like to reunite the family and Kotze with Strydom. If you have any leads on how to contact Strydom, please reach out to or WhatsApp 083 681 5927.
'If this is the ending to the story to reunite the family with Luigi, I will be so, so happy. Amen,' said Kotze.
Left with the last word, Charmelle thanked Johan again for his kindness and generosity, hopeful that his compassion would help their brother in more ways than one.
She said:
Taking Alan to the Springboks game was an incredible experience for him, and we're grateful for the positive impact it had on his well-being.
'We're thrilled that Johan's actions brought a smile to Alan's face and hope that this experience will have a lasting positive effect on his life. Our father, who died in 2018, was the one who instilled the love for rugby in us as his children.
'Once again, we thank Johan Kotze for being a true 'good Samaritan' and making a difference in our brother's life. We hope that his selfless act will inspire others to pay it forward and make a positive impact on those around them.'
