Wheel-bound journalist keeps headstrong

Westdene resident Palesa Manaleng says she is not going to let a personal setback get her down. She is determined to see her full potential realised.

Last year, Manaleng was in an unfortunate cycling accident which left her paralysed from the waist down. Wheelchair-bound she admits it was a difficult process adjusting, but remained confident this it has made her a stronger person.

She is a journalist by profession. “I started working in 2011 as journalist at The Citizen Newspaper. After four months, I was made a junior sub-editor there. I then moved to the Wits Justice Programme, which was a great change of pace. I loved that. After a year of that, I went to etv.”

Manaleng was working as a junior online writer at etv for only two weeks when she had her accident. The contract ended while she was still in the hospital and busy with rehab.

After being asked about what she could remember from the accident, she could hardly remember anything specific. “I wish I knew the full details. I woke up as usual and decided that I wanted to go cycling that day. I contacted my friend and told her that I was going for a quick spin and after that I would come round her shop to see her. I was cycling down Maldon Road. Next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital. I was told that my brakes had failed,” she said.

Manaleng was very happy and grateful of the support she received from the Westdene community.

“The community support I have been receiving is nothing less than amazing. I’ve never experienced such support from a community before. The people at etv were also very supportive. They sent representatives to come and visit me at the hospital. They gave me my full salary, even though I only worked for two weeks, she said.

Since her recovery, Manaleng has been seeking employment.

“I’ve been applying for jobs and thank goodness for the Westdene community. They have been helping me to look for a job. My friend Kim Jurgensen was kind enough to set up a Facebook page about me, telling the community that I need assistance with things,” she said.

After facing such adversity, Manaleng has remained positive that her future will be filled with possibilities that will enable her to continue her passion for writing, come what may.