Conditions of disabled almost makes man cry
ALEXANDRA – A disabled man was almost in tears when he saw the conditions under which disabled children in Alexandra live.
The living conditions of disabled children at Alexandra Disability Movement’s Pillsbury centre almost reduced chairperson of the Gauteng North Quadpara, Simon Manganye to tears.
He was so distressed by the conditions in which members of the movement lived that he vowed to work closely with the organisation to rectify them.
Manganye was speaking in an exclusive interview with Alex News during the handover of wheelchairs to the movement by popular comedian and Kaya FM presenter, Skhumba, (real name Skhumbuzo Hlophe) in partnership with Diageo’s Johnny Walker brand.
The wheelchairs will be used by the children of the Pillsbury Child Care Centre and disabled adults of the Shadax Self-Help Association in Alexandra, both of which are members of the movement which was founded in 1989 by Jerry Ntimbane.
“We have decided to work closely with organisations of disabled people in the townships because they are neglected. You can see for yourself the conditions under which they live,” said Manganye who is himself a disabled person in a wheelchair.
“The buildings are dilapidated, there are no wheelchairs, and caregivers have to lift the children each time they must be moved from one place to the other or even when they are being transported to the clinics or hospitals. This makes me wonder whether they always have enough food, blankets and beds for these children.
“We’re now going to include them in our fundraising activities so we can raise some money for them towards the running of the centre and the upkeep of the children. What I see here today almost got me into tears and I promise we will endeavour to do something to correct the situation.”
Zanele Njapha, sustainability manager for Diageo said the company would look at the possibility of establishing a long-term relationship with the movement as part of its corporate social investment programme.
