Blind man with big dreams wants to empower others
The qualified teacher said he lost his eyesight at the age of 32.
Kwa-Thema – Mpostolo Mndebele has taken the loss of his eyesight as an opportunity to empower others in the community.
The 47-year-old from KwaThema has turned his garage into a studio where he offers skills training in sewing, marketing, print and branding and braille to the youth, especially to the visually impaired.
The qualified teacher lost his eyesight at the age of 32.
He woke up one morning and could not see anything. Attempts to restore his eyesight by doctors, specialists and prophets failed.
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“I was frustrated and felt that my life was coming to the end. I still had dreams to achieve but I couldn’t now that I had turned blind overnight.
“The Department of Education decided to enrol me into a college for the blind where I studied towards a diploma in office admin and braille,” he explained.
Upon completion, Mndebele worked as a switchboard operator at the Department of Education Ekurhuleni East District.
“I didn’t enjoy this opportunity to the fullest because I felt my capabilities were limited behind the desk. All I ever dreamed about was imparting skills.
“I learned about the opportunity to train young people in braille. I then decided to resign and took that leap,” he explained.
During this time, Mndebele attended different learnership programmes in printing and design.
He then decided to turn his garage into a studio where he trained unemployed youth, especially those who are blind.
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“I started teaching braille because the institutions offering the skills are limited and expensive that many miss on the opportunity to receive training,” he said.
Mndebele feels content now that his students are empowered and can read and write without any help.
“Some went on to start their own small printing businesses and they are their own bosses while others decided to enrol for formal education,” he added.
He said losing his sight was another opportunity for him to be the change he wants to see in his community.
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