Organisation to host wheelchair race

The non-profit organisation Wheels of Change will host a disability awareness wheelchair race on Saturday, November 19.

The race will take place at BKS Eatery at the corner of Khoza and Mabuya Streets from 10am.

According to Thami Mankenkeza, the founder of Wheels of Change, their organisation works as a link between the government, the business sector and the community and they assist in all charitable cases in the community.

“We research and establish challenges within the community for people living with disabilities. We then seek assistance from government and the business sector so as to resolve their issues.

“Through the events we host we aim to educate the community about the challenges faced by people living with disabilities,” said Mankenkeza.

“We invite the media, government and community members to race with the aim of raising funds. People with disabilities race against those without disabilities. With those funds we aim to build ramps and toilet extensions.

“Mostly we focus on upskilling people with disabilities. We are actually providing a platform for getting people with disabilities to play a role in our community. At the same time we assist government in reducing the reliance of people on the grant system,” Mankenkeza said.

Mankenkeza said that they provide suitable shelter for disabled people without homes and abused disabled people.

Mankenkeza went on to talk about the company visits they run.

“We do company visits to educate them about the importance of educating and employing disabled people. We also do team building whereby we let people experience life in a chair for a day.

“We are raising funds to fulfil our long-term goal which is to build a disability centre. We have so far managed to get thousands of bricks from Cash Build at Chris Hani Mall. The centre will have the following:

· Outpatient physio

· Recruitment eepartment

· Counselling department

· Skills development

· Computer training and schooling.

“We hope we will manage to raise enough funds to see our long-term goal become a success,” he said.

“We have spoken to Eric Xayiya from the office of the premier, Ward 44 councillor Alfred Sibanyoni and even wrote a letter to the mayoral office of Mzwandile Masina. We have told them that we have been eying an old crèche building at Moagi Street next to Polly Clinic in Vosloorus. The building has been closed for a long time now. We would like them to give it to us to use as our centre.

“As for the event on Saturday, November 19, at the BKS Eatery corner of Khoza and Mabuya streets we invite community members to come through in their numbers to participate in the race. We are pleading with everyone to come, whether from business sector or from the government – just come and experience life in a chair for a day as part of disability awareness campaign.

“The entrance is free.

“The ambassadors will be Mog of Khaya FM (radio presenter) and Tsepange Luchaba (Mrs RSA finalist),” he said.

Mankenkeza concluded by saying they have bought wheelchairs for those who need them.

“They will get them during the day.”