Stabbed learner from eMbalenhle discharged, faces long road to recovery
Nathi Simelane cannot walk or use his right arm.
The 18-year-old Ikusasalethu Comprehensive School learner who was stabbed by a fellow learner at school two months ago has been discharged from hospital.
He, however, still faces a difficult road to recovery. Nathi Simelane is in a wheelchair. He cannot walk or use his right arm.
This once cheerful and playful teen is now dependent on others’ help for his basic needs. He needs constant care. Nathi was stabbed in the neck during school time on June 2 and was on the brink of death.
It is alleged that while he was helping a girl with a drawing assignment, another learner approached him, pulled out a knife and stabbed him multiple times on both sides of his neck. Following the attack, Nathi collapsed and lost consciousness.
“I am still confused about what happened on the day I was stabbed. I remember a girl asked me to help her with schoolwork. While I was busy with her drawing assignment, I was attacked.
“Before that, my attacker and I had greeted each other in the school corridor. We never had a quarrel or a fight,” he said.
This Grade 10 learner is worried about missing lessons and falling behind on his studies. He told Ridge Times his greatest wish is to recover enough to return to school.
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His ageing grandmother, Nomusa Ngwenya, is doing her utmost, but their roles as caregiver and dependent are now reversed.
Ngwenya described her grandson as a caring young man who, before his injuries, always looked after her.
“He used to make me tea before leaving for school and always checked if I was okay. After school, he would come home and tell me about his day.
“He was a happy boy who enjoyed joking, going to church, watching television and playing games on his cellphone. He always took good care of me whenever I was sick,” said Ngwenya.
One of her biggest challenges is that, as an elderly woman living alone, she has to assist her grown grandson with personal care.
“Nathi is now a grown man, and he really needs assistance from another man, especially when he has to use the bathroom,” Ngwenya explained.
Ngwenya is grateful that her grandson survived the attack, but is worried that she is not strong enough to care for him on her own.
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She explained that she now assists him with everything, including moving around in a wheelchair, using the toilet and getting into bed.
“My pension grant is too little to ensure he gets enough nutrition, but I do everything I can to make sure he gets better. I pray every day that he heals and returns to school,“ said Ngwenya.
“I don’t have a choice because I am the only one caring for him. I would appreciate any help from the community or organisations that can provide someone to assist me until he recovers,” she said.
Ngwenya also appealed for assistance with transport costs, saying doctors have instructed that Nathi attend therapy sessions at Evander Hospital.
“My pension money cannot cover all his needs. I would appreciate assistance from good Samaritans with transport to take him to and from therapy, though he still needs to also attend the doctor at Steve Biko Hospital for blood clots and I rely on government transport to take him there,” said Ngwenya.
Despite the challenges, Ngwenya praised the principal of Ikusasalethu Comprehensive School for supporting the family. She said the principal has committed to ensuring Nathi continues with his education from home by sending him schoolwork while he recovers.
Community members wishing to assist the family can contact Nomusa Ngwenya on 072 326 3257 or Thembisile Ngwenya on 079 282 5025.
In the meantime, the alleged assailant was granted bail of R2 000. He is currently residing outside the Govan Mbeki Municipality area and has to return to court on September 3.
