Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
TWELVE-YEAR-old Nkosiphile Lubombo, from Insiza District, hasn’t let his physical disability define him.
He’s become a valued member of his community, enjoying a full and active life, much to the delight of his grandmother.
Nkosiphile, a Grade Six pupil at Zhampale Primary School, uses a wheelchair to get to school, assisted by his classmates. He also moves freely around his grandmother’s homestead, carrying out various chores.
Gogo Siziba said that she initially had reservations about letting her grandson explore the world, but took a bold step when he was six.
“Nkosiphile was born with disability and grew up in my care after his mother passed away when he was young. I always kept him close, wanting to shield him from the discrimination that people with disabilities face. Before he was five, I used to carry him on my back when we travelled, as he didn’t have a wheelchair.
“I kept him at home to ensure his safety. When he was five, he received his first wheelchair from a donor, who advised me to send him to school. I had doubts at first, unsure if he would fit into a mainstream school,” she said.
Gogo Siziba used to push him to school in his wheelchair. She said he showed great interest and eagerness to attend.
Nkosiphile settled in well and insisted on being treated no differently from other pupils. Gogo Siziba said he refused to sit in his wheelchair in class, preferring a desk and chair. His classmates were supportive and keen to push him to school in his wheelchair.
“Before long, I no longer needed to push him to school as his friends were queuing up for turns. Even at school, they always insist on pushing him around. I’m so glad that my grandson has been integrated into a mainstream school, and he loves it there.
“We don’t have a special needs school in our area, and I can’t afford to send him to a school outside the district,” she said.
Gogo Siziba said her grandson is very active at home, carrying out various household chores, such as herding and penning goats, washing some of his clothes, and bathing himself. She said he refuses to be treated as disabled and plays with other children.
Gogo Siziba said that the education she received on disability issues was enlightening.
“At first, I thought that by keeping my grandson confined, I was doing him a favour, but I later realised I was restricting him. He doesn’t see himself as different from others, so I shouldn’t treat him differently. I have allowed him to grow and develop at his own pace, and that has helped him enormously.
“I know some people in my area who haven’t given their children with disabilities a chance, and I urge them to be supportive, not restrictive. As families, we have to lay a foundation for our children with disabilities to grow, and we have to be their support system,” she said.
Nkosiphile said he is grateful for his wheelchair, which has helped him lead a normal life. He believes that the lack of assistive devices prevents people with disabilities from integrating into society and realising their full potential.
Nkosiphile hopes to continue his education and become a police officer. He believes he can do anything his able-bodied peers can do, as he is no different from them. — @DubeMatutu.
Bongani Ndlovu