By Andile Saka
Twelve wheelchair users were gifted with free wheelchairs at the annual disability function hosted by the Gert SibandeDistrict Municipality and one of its sub-municipalities, Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality at the Carolina Town Hall, Mpumalanga on Friday, December 10 2021.
The wheel chairs were donated by the Mpumalangadepartment of health after occupational therapists had assessed wheelchair users in hospitals around the province and compiled a list of beneficiaries for the department.
Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality communications officer Thapelo Phetla said, “Throughout the year we run programmes focusing on issues concerning disabilities and this is one of them.”
Nomgqibelo Madonsela, the chairperson of the Gert Sibandedisability forum, added that assistive devices such as wheelchairs and white canes for people who are blind, are distributed according to the demand in all local municipalities under the district municipality.
She said the forum focuses on all issues affecting people with disabilities as “People with disabilities deserve to be loved and they are the same as anyone.”
One of the beneficiaries, Jabulani Nkosi (60), said “I suffered from polio when I was 12 years old. I have been using a wheelchair which was no longer in good condition and therefore, this programme helped me to find a new wheelchair.
“My legs were getting shorter due to this disease and I was feeling pains. Today I am happy because I am no longer feeling pains and this wheelchair will help me for now. Thanks to our government for caring about us,” he said.
However, due to the roads in the municipality not being in a good condition, Nkosi said he would still need someone to assist him to use the wheelchair.
Responding to a query by ThisAbility, Phetla said, “The municipality is in the process of paving the main road and re-gravelling other streets.”
