Ailment no handicap for him

Ntsako Mabunda

LIMPOPO – “IT is strange to hear someone say ‘I’m proud to be disabled’, but for me, being disabled has helped to shape my character and made me achieve much more than I would have, had I not been this way.”

These are the words of Mackson ‘Makumbila’ Mathonsi, the chairperson of Tivarishaka Disability Project in Mninginisi block 3 outside Giyani.

Mathonsi, who contracted polio when he was three months old, says he believes all of us are born with several gifts which we either take for granted or die without discovering, he believes this is especially true for people living with disabilities.

He has performed with the 1980s band, Splash and now performs on his own.

He has been involved in serving the community over the years, as well as advocating for the rights of people living with disabilities.

His project, Tivarishaka, comprises disabled as well as able-bodied volunteers who are involved in sculpting, sewing and crop farming.

Besides that, Tivarishaka has a stove that they make and sell, which they call ‘bio gas’.

The stove is a small structure built in the garden of the client, dug out and built with bricks in a tunnel-like design that leaves a cavity.

The cavity is filled with wet cow dung. The stove is then connected with an underground pipe which makes it to the kitchen where it connects to a gas stove.

The fumes of the heated dung activates the bacteria in the dung, which together with the fumes will create a fuel to cook or warm the house.

The advantage of this over other fuels is that it’s safe, has no smelly fumes and will not cause problems should it be left on by mistake overnight.

It is also great for the environment as it eliminates the need to cut trees and it uses waste that already exists, says Mathonsi.

Like most community projects, their main challenge is a lack of funds.

“I would love our project to get help so we can also help others,” says Mathonsi.

Those willing to assist Tivarishaka can call 078 157 1671.