It takes one to know one

Nobody understands misfortune better than someone who has already experienced it. After almost 21 years of impaired speech and physical disability, Sibongile Nkambule (51) made a commitment to help children living with disabilities.

Born in Morgenzon in a family of eight, Sibongile recalls a morning when she was only six years old. That was the beginning of many others where she had to depend on others for anything and everything.

That morning she woke up, but could not get out of bed, as she could not move. She tried to call for her mother, but her voice was gone.
Several visits to doctors and specialists unfortunately yielded no visible results at the time.

She recalls trying to speak when she was 27, just as she had done on many other occasions, and the first word that came from her mouth was “Mama”. Everyone in the family within hearing distance was shocked and they asked her to repeat it. With great difficulty and not very clearly she did so, but everyone could make out she was calling for her mother.

For most of her childhood, she was isolated from other children and years later, after her partial recovery, Sibongile landed a job at a day care centre and enjoyed what she was doing.

After two years at the centre and with limited resources, she decided to open her own Sinenhlanhla Stimulation Centre in Davel where she has been caring for children with various disabilities for the past five years. Presently she has six children in her care and concedes that some days are more difficult than others, but gives credit to the team of women helping her at the centre.

With her during the interview was one of the women helping her out, Ms Sphiwe Mbethe (54), who met Sibongile five years ago and admired her passion for assisting the disabled kids.

Ms Mbethe said some of the kids are from neighbouring towns Bethal, Ermelo and Elukwatini. Like many other newly established homes, they face challenges, where they would welcome support from the community, business people and government.

As a non-profit organisation, they accept any kind of assistance for the comfort of the children. On their wish-list are non-perishable foods, toiletries, cutlery, pots and pans, toys, sponge mattresses, blankets and an electric stove.

Should any reader wish to make a contribution, please contact the Highvelder.

For free breaking and community news, visit our websites:

Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser & Highvelder

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

BBM – 2667A726

WhatsApp – 0748877590