POLOKWANE – In the spirit of International Mandela Day, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, joined by the MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego, handed over prosthetic legs to gospel artist Malefetsane ‘Hennie’ Mbuli at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital.

Hennie, who was born with a clubfoot condition, received the life-changing gift with song and tears of joy.

The premier first encountered Hennie in May during the Cosatu May Day celebrations at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Despite having no prosthetic legs, he delivered a powerful performance. Afterwards, he approached the premier with a heartfelt request.

“He told me he didn’t want a grant, he just wanted limbs so he could perform better. That courage moved us. We knew we had to prioritise him,” Ramathuba recalled.

Ordinarily, the waiting period for prosthetics ranges from three to 12 months. Under Ramathuba’s intervention, the process was however fast-tracked and completed in just over a month.

At an estimated cost of R200 000 for both legs, provided through a private institution, Hennie’s dream was realised far sooner than expected.

The handover ceremony was quite emotional. Hennie walked on his new legs for the first time and burst into song: “Ke tsamaya bjale ka bohle, ke thabile ke fodile, ke bona ka mahlo,” meaning ‘I now walk like everyone, I am happy and healed, I see it with my own eyes’.

He expressed deep gratitude. “This gift will help me care for my siblings and child. I also hope to be booked for performances.”

Mashego praised the premier’s leadership. “We’re led by a powerful woman. We’re honoured to witness your dream come true.”

Ramathuba thanked the hospital team and CEO Phillip Kruger, calling on government departments to support Hennie by inviting him to perform. “He doesn’t want handouts. He wants to work. Let’s support that.”

She added that while there is a backlog for prosthetic limbs in the province, efforts are underway to improve capacity through the rollout of Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics units and necessary equipment.

“We’re working on speeding things up. We ask the public to be patient.”