Doing it for themselves

Too often we see disabled people and pity them for their struggles, forgetting that these are capable, smart individuals with the will to live a good and meaningful life as much as the next man.

Six wheelchair-bound men from the Dolphin Coast, both quadriplegic and paraplegic, have set out to defy the cliche and are on a mission to give back to the community.

The men: Frank Kruger, Dave Theron, Cedric Hedgcock, Valentino Govender, Njabulo Cele and Bryan Russell, live together on the farm De Mist in Glendale Heights, 40 minutes outside Ballito.

They have formed the Malangeni commune, which means ‘The Rising Sun’; and the sun is indeed rising on their unique approach to their disabilities. As Kruger said: “It’s our limbs that are paralyzed, not our minds.”

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Malangeni came to be at the end of last year, when the six moved in together.

Kruger and Hedgcock had worked together for 25 years running a help centre when they decided to find a place where people with similar handicaps could live and work together.

“The guys all just want to get on with our our lives, and do it for ourselves,” said Kruger, who was paralyzed 29 years ago after a blood clot.

And do it himself he certainly has, enjoying such activities as skydiving, deep sea fishing and even being the first quadriplegic ever to take the leap off the arch of the Moses Mabida Stadium.
This mix of resolution and enthusiasm is what is propelling Malangeni to reach out to the community.

And their winning attitude shines through, evidenced by nobody better than Cele, who always has a laugh and a smile on his face and even popped a wheelie for the Courier.

Hedgcock and Theron have been in wheelchairs for 40 and 24 years respectively after car crashes. Govender was shot by robbers 15 years ago when he was 17. The bullet hit him in the chest, pierced a lung and went on to hit his spine.

Russell meanwhile, was born with scoliosis of the spine and cerebral palsy. He is 30 years old and told the Courier he could not even imagine what walking is like.

Cele was nine years old when he was playing with a new toy on the sidewalk the day before Christmas. Police came flying by in a high speed chase and he was accidentally shot, leaving him in a wheelchair ever since.

Malangeni has plans to get more involved in the community, offering educational talks for schools and corporates, advice on employing disabled people, awareness drives and more.

“We want to know how we can help you,” said Hedgcock.

They are looking for support from the community and are in need of wheelchair-accessible transport, a generator and electric fencing.

If you would like to help Malangeni or talk to them about the possibility of organising a school or corporate educational session, contact Dave Theron at dj3ddesign@hotmail.com.

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