DUT graduate excels despite devastating injury
The incident, where Anees Ally was hit by a motorist while cycling, spurred him on to make positive changes in his field of expertise.
A SERIOUS injury did not stop Durban University of Technology graduate, Anees Ally from succeeding.
In fact, the incident, where Ally was hit by a motorist while cycling, spurred him on to make positive changes in his field of expertise.
Ally recently graduated Cum Laude with a BTech in civil engineering specialising in transportation.
He also achieved a Dean’s commendation.
Ally said he was struck from behind while cycling on uMhlanga Rocks Drive and suffered a severe lower back injury, crushed tibia and a hairline fracture of his fibula leaving him in a cast for six weeks.
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“I was knocked from behind while cycling when I was training for the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic Race. No matter what time you go out to exercise there is always someone else out there who could be negligent and it could impact you,” he said.
His newly acquired qualifications equip him to make a difference.
“I specialised in transportation dealing with roads and bridges. Cyclists don’t need a lot of space to cycle and our roads don’t allow for this. If it was up to me, and I had the opportunity, I would put a plan into place for a development to create a new system for motorists and cyclists to travel on the road together and be protected from one another. Perhaps to have a safety barrier similar to a guard rail in between cyclists and motorists. Right now cyclists are limited to back roads which makes it difficult to manoeuvre through traffic.
“There is a dedicated cycle lane near Suncoast Casino, but it’s just a painted line, there is no protection. From there cyclists head towards uMhlanga and then join the M4. That’s where the cycle lane ends. It’s a dead-end. This would be an ideal spot to work on a cycle lane. There are a lot of accidents there,” he said.
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While most students encountered remote learning for the first time during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ally was bed ridden for weeks during his recovery. He was injured during his second year on 3 September, 2019.
“Once I injured my leg I only attended two lectures. The rest of time I was lying on my bed, studying at home. I couldn’t even sit up at a table and chair because the injury affected my lower spine,” he said.
When online systems were set up during the pandemic, Ally said he struggled to adapt.
“Going to class is better cause you can interact with lecturer and ask question. At home you just listen and you are limited to a one hour time frame,” he added.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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