Wheels of Change reach out to the community
A non-profit organisation known as Wheels of Change, which fights for the rights of physically challenged people, celebrated their Mandela Day in Vosloorus, on July 18.
They donated three motorised wheelchairs to three physically challenged people on the day.
One of the beneficiaries was Jabulane Tshabalala (47) who is a sole breadwinner and a hemiplegic with total paralysis on the entire left part of his body. His motorised wheelchair was donated by Ekurhuleni’s Chief Whip of Council, Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
According to Thami Mankenkeza, the founder of the organisation, Tshabalala needed the motorised wheelchair the most because of his disability.
“We’ve pleaded for help for Tshabalala through the media. Finally, help has come. I would like to thank the chief whip of the ANC for changing Tshabalala’s life,” said Mankenkeza.
Mankenkeza thanked Ikusasa Building Projects for renovating Tshabalala’s toilet.
“Tshabalala’s toilet has been changed to suit a paraplegic and the whole project cost Ikusasa Building Projects R100 000. I would like to thank them for their kindness,” said Mankenkeza.
The second beneficiary was twenty-two-year-old Jabulani Tshabalala who is an orphan and resides at Dzulani Children Care at Dindela Section in Vosloorus.
Tumelo Monamosi (18) was the third person to get a motorised wheelchair from Wheels of Change on the day.
Mankenkeza said each wheelchair cost R20 000.
During his speech, Mankenkeza said he does not like physically challenged people to be dependent on charity.
“The only way we can stop that, is if the municipality funds the skills development centre they want to initiate in Vosloorus. We have identified an old crèche building at Moagi Street, next to Polly Clinic, in Vosloorus. The building has been closed for a long time now. We would like them to give it to us to use as our centre,” said Mankenkeza.
He said they would like to make good use of it as it had been closed for a long time now.
He said the following would be done in the centre:
*Finishing school
*Computer lessons
*Driving lessons
*Abet classes
*Handwork
*Job placement.
He concluded that the skills development centre would result in fewer disabled people relying on grants.
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