Siyamthanda on the mend
When COURIER asked Siyamthanda how she is, she said, “Sengingcono (I am well)”.
LOTS of love has been shared with Siyamthanda Bakamela (9) since her right leg had to be amputated in May after she was mauled by the landlord’s dogs.
Her name, Siyamthanda, means ‘we love her’ and this little girl has been receiving love and support from her parents, family, neighbours, learners, schools and principals since the tragic accident.
Vusi Khumalo, her father, worked at the St Martins School and said Verney College accepted Siyamthanda after the operation and has been wonderful to them as a family.
“The school offered my daughter a place to study until Grade 12. I am very grateful to them. Also St Martins has been very good to my family. Both schools have organised fundraising for Siyamthanda. All these efforts helped us a lot and I will be forever grateful. As I don’t have a car, to transport her is a mission and we need more help with that,” explained Vusi.
When COURIER asked Siyamthanda how she is, she said, “Sengingcono (I am well)”.
Her mother, Wendy Bakamela, said although they are going through trying times as a family, they are thriving. “It is better now because she is with us, though she needs to go to the hospital from time to time, we can now take care of her. I’m also glad that she is coping well at her new school, as she was at WH Coetzer Primary School before,” Wendy said.
Verney College principal, Aldina Pinpo-Teixeira said the school is doing everything in its power to welcome and accommodate Siyamthanda. “She is adapting well at the school and we are trying to organise trauma councilling for her. Our learners and their parents are amazing and they are making sure that she is at home. She started in Grade three to enable her to adapt well as she lost school days during her ordeal. The school has ramps as she uses a wheelchair and we arranged with our driver to take her to and from school. The school is also arranging with the 94.7 Christmas Wish for a prosthetic leg,” Aldina said.
Vusi told the COURIER that he is frustrated with the snail pace court proceedings because he feels that nothing concrete is being presented. “It pains me because I am in the dark about my daughter’s case. I wish I could do something to ease the pain,” he said.
