Middelburg – The MK party said courtesy shown to a 16 year-old wheelchair bound teenager, is part of what they want to do to transform lives of the poor and marginalised.
The party in Steve Tshwete donated a brand new wheelchair they nicknamed Polo to Sandile Skosana, living with disabilities, in Hlalamnandi, ward 10, on Sunday, 14 July.
When presenting the wheelchair, regional coordinator Charles Masombuka said the party was deeply touched by Sandile’s ordeal. “The incoming councillor informed us of the young man’s situation that his wheelchair is no longer in good working condition,” he said. “So we felt a need to assist through this donation from party members who went deep in their pockets to make sure Sandile lives a normal life like other people.
So we managed to buy you a Polo and we hope next time we will afford to buy a Mercedes Benz.”
The kind gesture came when political parties are preparing for by-elections in the ward following the death of councillor Gift Maseko.
However MK ward 10 councillor candidate, Xolani Shambeli, expressed they are not using Sandile’s situation to garner for votes. “This is not about scoring political points, it is not a show off. We are here to serve the people, particularly the poor,” he said.
Sandile had been using the broken wheelchair with visibly lose push handles and backrest, with the seat and frame also needing some repairs.
He has been relying on this wheelchair since 2020.
He earns a disability grant from government, and his parents are unemployed.
Grace Khumalo, mother, shared tears of joy over her son’s donation. “Thanks for the love you have shown me as Mk members. I really appreciate the support you have given my son, it means a lot to us,” she said.
