Youngster creates mobile entertainment unit
Thulane built his own television/mobile entertainment centre which he carries with him while walking through the township.
While the parents sat in the house worrying about their son’s safety, the boy entertained the township with his rare innovation.
“Thulane Ngomane is a special child who often keeps to himself without any friends,” said Mr David Ngomane, the boy’s father.
Mr Ngomane said he doesn’t know Thulane’s friends but he knows he pulls a crowd of children who are baffled at what Thulane is capable of.
A number of community members regard this 17-year-old as mentally unstable.
Yet Thulane built his own television/mobile entertainment centre which he carries with him while walking through the township.
He has also fixed some electronic appliances in the house.
The entertainment station, which has become the talk of the town, is made of old collected electronic scraps.
“It plays SABC 1 and 2,” said Thulane.
Thulane said for he can build a similar device for those who want one as long as they take the relevant materials needed to him.
Mr Ngomane said it all started when people noticed Thulane’s talent of building cars with wires.
“He was so good that some children and parents would come and ask Thulane to build school projects using wires,” he said.
Mr Ngomane said Thulane would leave the whole day, pushing his wire cars around.
“We would fear for his safety because he would be out until late,” said Goodness Ngomane, Thulane’s mother.
Now Thulane enjoys his technological creations.
“We still fear for him. Some people don’t understand him. Thulane is not dangerous, he is just a child with special needs,” said his father.
The community mistook Thulane for a mentally disturbed person and no one knows what could happen to him while he is out and about.
“When he is out playing, his device could be taken from him,” said Mrs Ngomane.
Thulane, who is epileptic, attended a school for special needs children in Alexandra called Nokuthuka Special School. His father said due to financial challenges, Thulane could not attend the school this year.
He said Thulane doesn’t like to read but he is a hands-on child.
“I hope that one day a person who is doing electronics can take Thulane under their guidance and give him more knowledge about the things he enjoys creating,” said Mr Ngomane.
“More children like my son are out there. I want to encourage the community not to take this lightly. As parents, we must try to help them to realise their talents,” said Mr Ngomane.
