Absa changes lives in Soweto with wheelchair donation

Wheelchairs donated to children with disabilities at Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre

Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre in Orlando gardens, Soweto, a school for children with physical, sensory and intellectual difficulties can now enjoy more freedom and independence following a recent donation of 20 personalised wheelchairs from Sešego Cares, the charitable arm of South Africa’s largest retail bank – Absa.

This follows a request for assistance from the Sešego Cares’ Wheelchair Project by Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre. A subsequent visit by Sešego Cares’ saw a tremendous need for wheelchairs for the disabled children at the Centre.

Heralding the donation, a delighted founder of the centre, Thembekile Tshabalala, said that it was a momentous occasion in the 13-year history of the centre and one that they will celebrate forever.

Tshabalala started the centre after the death of her son, Nkanyezi, who had cerebral palsy. Following his death, Tshabalala established the centre with the resolve to provide care, education, treatment, stimulation and safety for disabled children in her community. The Nkanyezi Centre is now a Non-Governmental Organisation, registered with the Department of Health. It currently cares for 30 children - the numbers fluctuate due to lack of reliable transport to ferry the children to and from the centre on a regular basis.

Says Tshabalala: “This wheelchair donation addresses our transport issues as well and will assist us in our mission to serve the special needs of our members who live with multiple disorders.”

Annemarie Mostert, National Co-ordinator of Sešego Cares, stated that Sešego Cares was pleased to have made a contribution which meets the basic human rights of one of the most neglected areas of our society.

Mostert emphasises that Sešego Cares would not have been able to deliver the wheelchairs without the Northcliff Rotary Club with which they have been working for the past three years.

“Northcliff Rotary has joined forces with their international counterpart, The Rotary Club of Rushmoor of the United Kingdom, in sourcing wheelchairs. To date, we have managed to distribute over 22 000 used wheelchairs free-of-charge to disabled people throughout Southern Africa,” says Mostert.

Through its partnership with the Rotary Club Northcliff and the Rotary Club of Rushmoor, Sešego Cares has helped disabled people become mobile beneficiaries from cities to villages.

Bulelani Kobe (21) of Butterworth, who was born with a congenital deformity, is one of the many people Sešego Cares and the Rotary Club have assisted through their Wheelchair Project partnership. Bulelani was provided with a motorised wheelchair on his 21st birthday, some 3 years ago.

He states: "This has changed my life, I have no words to thank Absa. With the new chair, I can actually move myself around and not rely on anyone to take me where I need to go."

“Not being able to walk affects a persons' confidence and self-worth; but this young man shows how to make the best of what you have to live life to the full,” Mostert says, adding that many other ancillary items have also been received and distributed over the years, including crutches and other walking aids.

“As a responsible financial services provider, Absa will always pursue ways and partnerships which seek to make a difference to the scores of needy people across the country.”