The brand-new wheelchair, worth close to R30 000, was donated to her by Uwa nkoka (You are Important), a non-profit organisation (NPO). The NPO was founded by Tinyiko Mageza, Tintswalo Siweya, and Nxalati Shirilele from Nkowankowa and every year, the three women make a donation to girls in the area.

This year, however, they were touched by Zanele’s heartfelt story, after she posted an advertisement stating that she was seeking assistance to acquire an electric wheelchair to make her life easier. The 33-year-old Zanele was born as an able-bodied person, but as the years went by, she experienced challenges in her lower limbs.

Also read: Letaba Special School receives new wheelchairs

“Since receiving the wheelchair, I can now go anywhere without asking for assistance from anyone. I can now go to town and to the spaza shops on my own, and I feel blessed. I am humbled by the love Uwa nkoka has shown me and the love I receive from God,” she concludes.