Shakaskraal girl who lost legs in blaze dreams of going to school

The desire to go to school for disabled Mandisa Nxumalo brings her to tears almost every day.

The nine-year-old girl from Shayamoya township, outside Shakaskraal, lost both her legs when she was just two months old after her parents got into a domestic fight.

Tholakele, Mandisa’s mother recounts the night of the accident.

“Her dad was beating me and I ran outside calling for help. He came after me, leaving Mandisa and her older brother who was two-years-old at that time alone in the house,” said Tholakele.

Realising that it was getting dark, her brother tried to light a candle and the house went up in flames. He managed to escape without any injuries but Mandisa lost both her legs as a result of the severe burns she suffered during the house fire,” she said.

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Tholakele said she has been trying to get Mandisa into a local school but was not able to as none of the local schools had facilities to cater for disabled children.

“I am not sure whether it is because I am illiterate and I am looking in the wrong places, but what I know is that she cannot go to the local schools because she will not be able to use the toilets. I really want her to get into a school because it will mean I will be able to find a job and take care of Mandisa and my other five children.”

She said it breaks her heart hearing Mandisa crying every morning, pleading to be allowed to go to school.

Tholakele had to resign from her job at a sugarcane farm to take care of Mandisa. She now depends on child support grants and collecting tin cans that she sells at a local scrapyard.

“I use that money to buy food, electricity and pay our rent. So if we could find a place to stay, the money I use for rent can be saved for the future, because I am really worried, that if anything happens to me my children will be left with nothing and Mandisa will end up being used by other people for their own benefit. I want her to get an education so that she will be able to take care of herself when I am no longer around,” said Tholakeke.

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Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Vinny Pillay said they were raising funds for a bed, clothing, bedding, wardrobe, stove, or anything that would assist Mandisa and her family.

“When asked what she would like for Christmas, Mandisa says “ikhekhe” which means cake. We are appealing to anyone who is willing to assist the family in whatever way – it will really be appreciated,” said Pillay.

Contact Captain Vinny Pillay at 073 310 0103. Donations can be dropped off at Umhlali police station.

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