Disabled but still a father and a coach
Given Mashakoane(50) was born without hands or feet, but he still managed to raise his daughter on his own and coach a local soccer team.
Mashakoane said he was born with a twin brother and his family nearly disposed of him due to his disabilities.
‘When I was born, my twin brother died so my mother kept me, ‘he said.
Mashakoane who lives alone in Mthumzini near Casteel, gets up every morning and dresses himself by using his mouth to aid him.
He has no help to cook or clean his place and he has to use a toilet outside his humble home.
He said he had raised his daughter alone when the child’s mother had left them and the grandmother who was helping him care of her, then passed away.
The child was only three years old when Mashakoane despite his disabilities started to raise her alone.
‘My daughter is now 20 and at school, I looked after her since she was small, but now I am sad as she doesn’t stay with me anymore and I am very lonely, ‘added Mashakoane.
‘I coach the 12 to 22 year old Mthumzini Youngsters soccer team. Absalom Msomah, our regional municipal manager sponsored our kits for us,’Project manager for Crafters Brian Kajenco together with Nourish NGO Sarah Berg had donated blankets and helped Mashakoane on Mandela day this year.
About his living conditions, Mashakoane said he desperately still needed a home which is user friendly for a disabled person.
‘I have no toilet in my house and no water, so I have to walk a far distance to fetch it, I really need a JoJo tank to make my life easier’, said Mashakoane.
Mashakoane’s clothes which were all tattered and worn out, plus his shoes he had to get specially made for him, were shabby with age.
Despite this, he said he even worked to create his own garden and watered the lawn and flowers by using his mouth to carry the buckets.
Mashakoane remarkably said he did not cry about his disabilities in life, but only on losing his child who now lived with her mother.
‘What still keeps me going in my life is to help others, and I try to help the children in the community stay off the streets, this way I can help future generations ‘concluded Mashakoane.
