Double amputee gets legs

Bongane Mahlobo (35) stands tall again after being in a wheelchair for more than two years.

The company he currently works for made this possible by buying him R160 000 worth of prosthetics.

On November 10, 2011, Bongane’s left foot was amputated.

Doctors could not diagnose the cause of pain emanating from a small sore between his toes.

Bongane turned to traditional healers for help to his continuously swelling foot.

“The doctor did the amputation after a traditional healer ordered an operation that proved to bare no results,” said Mr Mahlobo.

When Bongane was discharged from the hospital on December 15, 2011, it was not the end of his problems.

In March 2013, Bongane said he began to feel a similar pain in his right foot – the same as he had felt in his left foot before it was amputated.

Bongane said he did not want to waste time; he consulted a doctor the next morning.

He said the doctor didn’t see anything wrong but the pain persisted.

Bongane therefore decided to consult traditional healers yet again.

“The pain carried on despite the inability of doctors to diagnose the cause of the problem,” he said.

Bongane’s right foot started to swell, just like the left one had.

“I went back to a doctor and I was then referred to Baragwanath Hospital. I was admitted and told to sign a consent form for a second amputation.”

Bongane did not hesitate because he could not take the pain anymore.

He went for the second amputation.

“After three to four months, the wound was still not healing. Clinic staff said they could not dress the wound as they were scared.”

A local hospital referred Bongane to Baragwanath Hospital as it had his medical history.

“At Baragwanath I was told I had to be amputated just below the knee as the wound was already infected,” he said.

“I left the hospital without a left foot and a right leg. I had no wheelchair. I did not know how I would explain the situation at home,” said Bongane.

From that day, Bongani’s wife had to carry him on her back if he wanted to go somewhere.

“She had to carry me to the toilet too,” he said.

In 2014 Bongane started another of his many business ventures to make ends meet.

Bongane started a transportation business for school children. He said his wife would do the driving as they collected the children.

His wife’s difficulty in driving led him to start driving the car himself. The manual gearbox Opel Cadet was not modified for his physical challenges.

Bongane said on the first day he drove using his right palm to apply the brakes and to accelerate the car.

“My wife cut a broom stick for me to use for driving,” he said.

Bongane now drives his car using the broom stick.

“People marvel at my ability to drive a manual gearbox motor vehicle. I received an award for it. Thanks to my magic stick, the broom stick,” said Bongane.

“The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) entered me into a competition for the recognition of my skill. They also took my CV to help me find a learnership,” he said.

On the same say his wife died, following three months of illness, Bongani was told he had received a permanent job. The company that had provided him with a learnership had now provided him with a job.

“I didn’t know whether to continue crying or to be happy because things happened in a very short space of time.”

Bongane is still employed at the company, which has now given him the opportunity to rise and walk again.

“I now feel honoured and very happy to get my life back. Thanks to the Kit Group for their help in restoring my life. I give special thanks to Mr Joe Pereira for what he has done for me,” said Bongane.