His ability to work is no disability
PATRICK Mapetla (38), from Selolo village in Ga-Matlala says being disabled does not prevent him from working towards his life goals.
LIMPOPO – PATRICK Mapetla (38), from Selolo village in Ga-Matlala says being disabled does not prevent him from working towards his life goals.
Mapetla, who is wheelchair bound, says even though he is disabled, he can still produce quality steel sliding gates to customers. He said his journey as a boilermaker started last year. Previously he worked as a camera and video man for 15 years.
“After I realised that taking pictures and capturing videos at parties and wedding ceremonies were no longer making enough profit, I then decided to start a business in welding,” he says.
“I’m glad because people in my community and the surrounding areas do like my work. And with their support of my business, I can at least make a profit of R4 000 per month. With this money I can put bread on the table for my family,” he says.
Mapetla said he dropped out of school in gr. 9 because he could not travel the long distance to school with his wheelchair due to the dongas on the roads.
“The challenge I’m facing in my business is that when it’s rainy I cannot work as I’m working under a tree in my yard,” he says.
He says he is looking forward to growing his business and having his own workshop. He further says this will be his way of creating more jobs for his unemployed neighbours. He advises disabled people not to depend on government grants and do something else. “We should create our own businesses and show the world that even with our disabilities we can still achieve our goals,” Mapetla says.
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