Wheelchair-bound tennis player inspires

Salamina Molefe, a thriving female wheelchair tennis player and coach, proves that one’s disability is not an inability.

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The 48-year-old started playing wheelchair tennis back in 2010 and has had the opportunity to travel to places such as Cape Town to showcase her talent.

She lost her legs at the age of 7 while playing in a maize field on a farm in Randfontein. Her legs were cut by a tractor machine which was being operated by a person who didn’t see her playing in the field.

Speaking to the Randfontein Herald in an interview, she said that she also steps in as a coach from time to time and loves playing wheelchair tennis wholeheartedly.

Being disabled means nothing. There are many opportunities out there irrespective of our disability.

“I encourage people to learn to accept to live with their condition and not look down on yourself for example, thinking you cannot participate in sports because they are disabled,” said Salamina.

“Wheelchair tennis has done a lot for me. It has allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life and travel the country. You are just able to become diverse and make friends. It helps to empower us as disabled people and create a sense of cohesion and belonging,” she concluded.

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Meanwhile, last year, she and her team established a team of tennis players (not all are disabled) who play against each other.

This is aimed at creating a sense of stimulation and ensuring that they send a message that they too are as good as their abled counterparts.

She urged people who are disabled to follow suit and be positive about life.

Join some sort of sporting code, keep fit and enjoy the pleasure that comes with being active,” she concluded.