City Times spoke to Zodwa Khumalo, a resident at the Daveyton Elethu Cheshire Home, which accommodates people with disabilities.
The 57-year-old said she is excited to cast her vote as a special voter on either May 6 or 7, but calls on the government to give equal opportunities to people living with disabilities.
City Times visited the Daveyton Elethu Cheshire Home to chat with Zodwa Khumalo, she is pictured with Mabel Putuka (trainer nurse at the home).
When Khumalo voted for the first time in 1994 in Alexandra, she wasn’t disabled.
She said she was one of the voters who stood for hours in queues stretching over a kilometre so they can vote in South Africa’s first democratic election.
“Hopes ran high and fears ran deep in the run-up to the election,” said Khumalo.
“We stood for hours in those lines and we even forgot to eat, we were just too excited.”
In 1997, her spinal cord got injured and she had to use a wheelchair.
Khumalo said after her injury, things changed and she had to depend on people as she wasn’t able to walk.
Residents of Daveyton Elethu Cheshire Home are excited to be voting in May, Siphesihle Mabena and Zodwa Khumalo show their X.
“However, I am grateful to Nelson Mandela as he fought for our freedom. I was able to get accommodation at the disabled home and access to the best hospitals,” she said.
“I would’ve loved to be employed, but due to my disability I never got that opportunity.”
She added that disabled people also have brains and skills they can offer to better our economy, all they need is a chance.
When asked what her hopes are after the elections, Khumalo said: “We need a hospital in Daveyton, job opportunities for our children, skills development for the disabled and better houses.”
Khumalo said she will be voting for the ANC and she believes President Cyril Ramaphosa will be a great leader.
