What Walking with Brandon Foundation does

Walking with Brandon Foundation (WWBF) is a South African non-profit organisation (NPO #151-431, PBO #930050515) founded in 2013 by the Beack family following Brandon Beack's 2012 spinal cord injury and subsequent rehabilitation at the Shepherd Centre in the United States. Operating from its registered base in Rondebosch, Cape Town, the foundation runs the Therapy and Beyond Centre across two clinical locations — Pinelands (Cape Town) and Stellenbosch — delivering multi-disciplinary neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation through biokinetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, hydrotherapy, and strength and conditioning, structured around a proprietary 6-phase programme (Pre-habilitation, Muscle Recruitment, Posture and Joint Stability, Resistance and Endurance, Pre-gait, and Gait).

The centre is underpinned by an interdisciplinary clinical approach grounded in neuroplasticity principles and supported by advanced rehabilitation equipment, including the only Weyergans VACUMED intermittent vacuum therapy device in the Western Cape, a Biodex Balance Trainer, EasyStand standing frames, vibration therapy, and 6-metre walking parallel bars. The foundation is an accredited training centre for the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape, hosting supervised final-year biokineticist interns and operating a Peer Support Programme (WhatsApp and Facebook groups) and Family Support Programme anchored by the founding family.

Commercially, WWBF generates revenue from session fees (R380-R650 per hour), medical aid billing (allied health benefit on comprehensive plans, plus Prescribed Minimum Benefits), Road Accident Fund claims, and donations processed via PayFast. A Subsidy Programme, funded by the National Lotteries Commission and corporate sponsors (notably Apex Hi), historically offered 20-70% discounts for financially disadvantaged patients but is currently on hold. The foundation's broader ecosystem spans accommodation partners (Simply B Guesthouse, Wild Olive Guest House), advocacy organisations (QASA, Chaeli Campaign, Smergos), the Chris Burger & Petro Jackson Players Fund for Paralympic athletes, and a diversified corporate sponsor base (SAB Foundation, Red Bull South Africa, Pick'n Pay, Nedbank, Coronation, Community Chest, Unigrain, Nova-Marine), with a technology partnership with EKSO Bionics. The primary patient segments are South Africans with neurological and orthopaedic conditions (particularly spinal cord injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy), financially disadvantaged patients lacking medical aid, and Paralympic/disabled athletes.

Name

Walking with Brandon Foundation

Legal name

Walking with Brandon Foundation

Website

https://walkingwithbrandon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walking with Brandon Foundation is a South African non-profit operating the Therapy and Beyond Centre in Pinelands and Stellenbosch, delivering multi-disciplinary neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation to disabled South Africans, including subsidised access for the financially disadvantaged.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outpatient Neurological and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Rehabilitation & Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy Centers (HLAFABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC), Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK)

Keywords

• Outpatient neurological rehabilitation
• Orthopaedic therapy services
• Biokinetics and physiotherapy
• Disability support programmes
• Hydrotherapy and gait training

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Patient Session Fees: Revenue is generated through billable therapy sessions (biokinetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy). Sessions are priced at R380–R650 per hour for standard sessions. Intern biokineticist sessions are offered at approximately 50% discount. Patients pay directly, via medical aid, or through the Subsidy Programme.
2. Medical Aid & Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB): Allied health therapy sessions (biokinetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy) may be covered by medical aid on comprehensive health plans. PMB conditions are covered under prescribed minimum benefits. Lower-tier medical aid plans require patients to pay from savings or privately.
3. Road Accident Fund (RAF) Claims: The foundation is registered with the Road Accident Fund (RAF), which provides compensation for individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents. Patients use RAF compensation to cover therapy sessions.
4. Subsidy Programme Funding: The Subsidy Programme provides subsidised sessions (20–70% discount) for financially disadvantaged patients, funded by the National Lotteries Commission and corporate sponsors such as Apex Hi. This is not a direct revenue stream but a cost-subsidy mechanism enabling access for patients who cannot afford full fees.
5. Donations: The foundation accepts financial donations via PayFast payment gateway. Donations fund the Subsidy Programme and general operations, enabling access to rehabilitative treatment for patients who cannot afford it.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Walking with Brandon Foundation delivers multi-disciplinary outpatient neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation through its Therapy and Beyond Centre, structured as a six-phase programme (Pre-habilitation, Muscle Recruitment, Posture & Joint Stability, Resistance & Endurance, Pre-gait, Gait). Service offerings span biokinetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, hydrotherapy, peer and family support, and strength and conditioning, supported by advanced rehabilitation equipment including the Weyergans VACUMED device.

Product overview

Walking with Brandon Foundation operates as a unified rehabilitation platform centred around the Therapy and Beyond Centre, which provides comprehensive neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation through a six-phase integrated treatment programme. The foundation offers a multi-disciplinary approach with core therapy services including Biokinetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Peer Support, Family Support, and Strength and Conditioning. A Subsidy Programme (currently on hold) provides financial assistance for disadvantaged patients. The centre also utilises advanced rehabilitation equipment including the Weyergans VACUMED intermittent vacuum therapy device. All services are delivered through an interdisciplinary approach combining various therapeutic disciplines to provide tailored treatment plans targeting mobility, daily living skills, communication, and emotional well-being.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapy and Beyond Centre

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chris Burger & Petro Jackson Foundation (Players Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner/affiliate. The Players Fund supports elite South African sportspeople with disabilities. Partnership aligns with the foundation's strength & conditioning and Paralympic athlete support programme.
• QASA (Quadriplegic Association of South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner/affiliate. QASA is a disability advocacy organisation in South Africa. Partnership supports referrals, community integration, and raises awareness of the needs of quadriplegic and paraplegic individuals.
• Chaeli CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner/affiliate. Chaeli Campaign is a South African disability rights organisation. Partnership supports the foundation's mission to empower persons with disabilities.
• SmergosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner/affiliate alongside the foundation's mission to support persons with disabilities in South Africa.
• Just KineticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner/affiliate, likely a referral partner or collaborator in the biokinetics/physiotherapy space.
• Simply B GuesthouseminorOthersLocated in Rondebosch, 5 minutes from the Therapy and Beyond Centre. Two of three units are wheelchair accessible. Negotiated long-stay discounts available for patients. Fully equipped and compliant for persons with disabilities.
• Wild Olive Guest HouseminorOthersLocated in Newlands, 4 minutes from the Therapy & Beyond Centre. Wheelchair-accessible rooms with kitchen facilities, swimming pool, and breakfast included. Negotiated long-stay discounts for patients undergoing treatment.
• University of Cape Town (UCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation is an accredited training centre for UCT. Final-year biokineticist interns complete practical training under senior supervision at the Therapy and Beyond Centre, contributing to the workforce pipeline.
• University of the Western Cape (UWC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation is an accredited training centre for UWC. Final-year biokineticist interns from UWC complete practical training at the centre under senior supervision.
• Werksmans AttorneysminorOthersListed as a partner/logo. Werksmans Attorneys may provide legal advisory or pro bono legal support to the foundation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Large US research hospital specialising in physical medicine and rehabilitation with integrated bioengineering and translational research — a broad incumbent whose interdisciplinary model, advanced equipment focus, and translational research orientation parallel WWBF's evidence-based approach at significantly greater scale.
• Life Rehabilitation (Life Healthcare Group): South African private hospital group's rehabilitation service line offering multi-disciplinary therapy across its national network — directly comparable outpatient rehab offering within the same Western Cape medical aid billing environment.
• Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital: South Africa's largest private hospital group's rehabilitation division offering inpatient and outpatient neuro/ortho rehab across multiple provinces — competes for the same patient pool in the Western Cape and represents the principal scaled incumbent WWBF must differentiate against.

Others

• Chaeli Campaign: South African disability rights non-profit and WWBF partner that mobilises therapy and equipment access for children with disabilities — adjacent ecosystem peer sharing the same donor base, beneficiary communities, and disability-empowerment mission.
• National Lotteries Commission (NLC): Core funder of WWBF's Subsidy Programme and a critical grant-maker for many South African health non-profits — included as an enabling/funder ecosystem peer whose funding decisions directly affect WWBF's subsidy-driven capacity.
• QASA (Quadriplegic Association of South Africa): Disability advocacy organisation listed as a core strategic partner of WWBF; comparable as a peer-ecosystem actor serving the same quadriplegic/paraplegic community through advocacy, peer support, and referral pathways rather than direct clinical services.

Direct peers

• Shepherd Center: Atlanta-based outpatient neurological rehabilitation hospital that directly inspired the Walking with Brandon Foundation (Brandon Beack received treatment there). Offers the same multi-disciplinary, neuroplasticity-based model for spinal cord, brain injury, and complex neurological patients and is the closest clinical and philosophical peer.
• Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare: US-based outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation provider with a comparable multi-disciplinary neurological and orthopaedic rehab offering, structured care pathways, and adaptive sport programmes that align directly with WWBF's Therapy and Beyond Centre model.
• NextStep Fitness: US non-profit network of paralysis recovery centres offering activity-based therapy, locomotor training, and peer support; mirrors WWBF's combination of advanced rehab technology, peer/community ecosystem, and non-profit funding model.
• Neurokinex: UK-based chain of activity-based rehabilitation centres for spinal cord injury using advanced equipment and neuroplasticity principles — comparable in clinical philosophy, technology stack (exoskeletons, electrical stimulation), and target patient population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfldwdUxOYD6uuJKBWIUh_w
• Facebookfacebook.com/WalkingWithBrandon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walkingwithbrandon
• Instagraminstagram.com/walkingwithbrandon
• Xx.com/walkingbrandon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Walking with Brandon Foundation