Mpumalanga’s MEC for Health, Gillion Mashego, handed 30 people living with disabilities each their own wheelchair at a ceremony held at Tintswalo Hospital in rural Bushbuckridge.
Important guests supporting the event included representatives Disabled People South Africa, the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Deaf SA, Epilepsy SA and other partners.
“The department will ensure that every person in the province living with a disability that deprives them of mobility must at least get a wheelchair. I applauded the partnership between DPSA and Health Department in identifying and providing health care to people living with disabilities,” said MEC Mashego.
Mabel Mkhabela, mother of a disabled boy, said: “For years I have pleaded with the hospital to get a wheelchair for my son, but I have never been successful. Now I am over moon that my child has finally received a new wheelchair. Hopeful this will not end with our community, because the are lots of other people with disabilities who need wheelchairs.”
“To some people this is just a day like any other – only that our MEC is handing over 30 wheelchairs. But for us with disabilities, it’s a wonderful day! Our prayers have been answered, as our constant struggle has become easier,” said Bridgette Ngobeni, who was one of the recipients of a much-needed wheelchair.
