Gert Sibande District Municipality’s chief whip aids with wheelchairs and playing kits
She expressed her family's joy and relief for the assistance and indicated that it was impossible for her family to afford that kind of wheelchair, as Xolani's old one had become uncomfortable.
ERMELO – The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) recently hosted an initiative by the chief whip, Cllr Trevor Nkosi, as part of his office’s community project, in which soccer and netball playing kits and three specially designed Madiba Buggies were handed over at the GSDM mayor’s parlour.
Xolani Thengwayo is one of the three beneficiaries who received a Madiba Buggy wheelchair for children who need more postural support than a traditional wheelchair provides, cannot self-propel and are unable to sit independently.
His aunt, Ms Nondumiso Maseko, could not hold back her excitement.
She expressed her family’s joy and relief for the assistance and indicated that it was impossible for her family to afford that kind of wheelchair, as Xolani’s old one had become uncomfortable.
The top eight soccer teams participating in the ABC Motsepe League received playing kits, as well as the top eight netball teams participating in the Gert Sibande Netball Regional League.
Cllr Nkosi said GSDM is in full support of sports development and promotion, especially in the rural areas where facilities are a challenge. GSDM’s executive mayor, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, said, “We will support various sport leagues in the district, and the municipality is willing to help promote sport in general, as it helps government in the fight against the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse by young people.”
The clubs’ representatives appreciated the leaders’ support and commitment and requested assistance with playing fields and courts in the rural areas, where it is difficult to practise and host games.
GSDM committed itself to look into the matter and coordinate with the local municipalities to ensure that solutions to the raised problems were found.
