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Sphiwe defies odds

“Sometimes people’s reactions get to me, especially from those who don’t know me. For a moment it hits a nerve, but I don’t let it get me down,”

Toddlers and fire are a dangerous combination and Sphiwe Gift Hlophe (18) has the scars to prove it.
When he was two, Sphiwe suffered third degree burns to his face and fingers when a blanket caught fire from an imbawula (amakeshift coal stove made out ofa large tin with holes on the side).
Growing up on Tevrede farm near Carolina with his cousins, Sphiwe says his disability didn’t stop him from enjoying his childhood and he was never treated differently to other children in the house.
He was raised by his aunt, Elsie Mkhonza (79), after his father abandoned them. They moved to Silobela, Carolina and his aunt has kept him sane and motivated in many ways.
His twin sister passed away shortly after her birth due to health complications and his mother also passed on a little later.
“I had a happy childhood, never allowed my condition and disability to dictate to me, although there were those who would make fun of me.
My aunt’s teachings and support always encouraged me to look beyond that.
She always told me that my situation was an accident that could have happened to anyone,so I shouldn’t allow negativity to interfere with my happiness,” Sphiwe said.

With ambitions to be a climatologist, the Grade 11 pupil of Zinikeleni Secondary School says he has all the academic support he needs, especially from his Geography teacher, Mr M.K. Mokoena.

“One day I wish to be a family man who will be able to provide for my family and give them a better life than mine,” said Sphiwe with a smile.

Despite his disability, Sphiwe leads a normal life like other teenagers. He says he has quite an exciting social life, which is evident on his page from one of the social networks. He also joked that he is a hit with the ladies.
He has chores to perform in the house and usually does them with ease.

He doesn’t get preferential treatment and says he also gets into trouble with his aunt and with the teachers at school.

Something he does not appreciate is being pitied.

“Sometimes people’s reactions get to me, especially from those who don’t know me.

For a moment it hits a nerve, but I don’t let it get me down,” he explained.

One of the people he looks up to is Dr Lucas Mudau from Carolina, because of his involvement with people in the area and the change he has brought about in the lives of many.

“Dr Mudau has made me realise that there are able-bodied people whose situations are nothing compared to mine, but who have already given up on life.

I hope that through me others can learn that God never makes mistakes as it would seem in the eyes of many,” explained Sphiwe.

Although Simphiwe has accepted his condition, he says he hopes to undergo plastic surgery one day.

All the attempts for such operations have so far yielded no results.

Every visit to the specialists brings renewed hope, but so far it has remained just that; hope.

“I just wish others to know that everything happens for a reason and every difficult situation eventually passes,” he said.

His aunt says Sphiwe is an amazing child, very motivated and full of energy.

She loves him to bits although he gives her a tough time at times, but that only shows that he’s a normal child and wouldn’t change a thing about him.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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