Meet wheelchair surgeon Siyabonga Nzama [Watch]

Wheelchairs take the hard knocks for their disabled passengers and when they break down, the implications are devastating for those who are dependent on them to get around.

Wheelchair users are now able to have their wheelchairs serviced and repaired by the General Gizenga Regional Hospital’s in-house “mechanic”.

Thirty-three-year-old Siyabonga Nzama from Ndwedwe became a wheelchair surgeon in July last year.

“It gives me such pleasure when someone who came in with a broken wheelchair leaves with a smile on his or her face. It makes me happy because I feel like I am making a difference in someone’s life,” said Nzama.

A car plowed into Nzama when he was just 13, claiming his right leg.

“We were leaning against a classroom wall where my class teacher used to park her car. That day the car smashed straight into me and the wall. I was in hospital for a long time,” he said.

Nzama is part of the public works programme that helps upskill disadvantaged people.

Manager of the physiotherapy department, sister Rohini Velan, said Nzama is one of 3 wheelchair repairers employed across the district.

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The other two are based at Mantobela Hospital in Ndwedwe, while Siyabonga works in KwaDukuza and also services Umphumulo and Untunjambili hospitals and Sundumbili clinic.

The tools and start-up stock for the site and training were donated by an NGO.

Velan thanked Elder David Nish of the Latter-Day Saint Charities for facilitating the donation and training.

She said patients with wheelchairs were now able to have them serviced regularly.

Repairs can be done while patients wait at hospitals and old wheelchairs beyond repair are stripped for parts.

Velan made a special plea for wheelchairs to be returned to the physiotherapy department once the initial recipients no longer require them.

“These wheelchairs can be refurbished and issued to deserving patients who meet the criteria. Community members are invited to make use of this.”

Call the physiotherapy department at 032 437 6275/6330 to make an appointment for wheelchair repairs and servicing.

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