Pretoria’s Mqondisi ‘King Nipho’ Ntshangase (37) has made it his mission to prove to South Africans that disability is not inability.

To achieve this, he recently set off on a 5000km #OneLegWalk across the country, with a prosthetic leg.

King Nipho will walk to all nine provinces, and is currently in KZN. He was in Scottburgh on October 8, and inspired many locals with his story and strength before heading on to the next town. He then reached Durban on the weekend and will continue his journey to Mbombela, Polokwane and back to Pretoria.

Originally from Krugersdorp, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2012 and had his leg amputated in 2014 at the age of 25.

It was a challenge to adjust to his new way of life, but King Nipho didn’t believe in taking anything lying down, and got up and out to show others there’s always a way.

The #OneLegWalk journey has taken him from Pretoria to Cape Town and back. He reached the halfway point in Gqeberha on August 21, having already walked more than 2000km. Now, almost five months later, King Nipho is in KZN.

“The response has been overwhelming, the communities are loving it, and people are so interested in someone making history,” he said.

“It’s been an interesting journey, with challenges along the way, but people have been very supportive. They see what I’m trying to do and want to help. That kindness makes a big difference.”

King Nipho’s journey is self-funded. Some of the challenges he faces while en route are finding places to wash, do laundry, and rest. On several occasions, strangers have assisted him along the way.

“Residents, councillors, and mayors in towns have offered food, water, money and accommodation. Some residents invited me into their homes to do laundry, while others have helped arrange stays at guest houses and hotels,” he explained.

Besides raising awareness for those living with disabilities and encouraging communities to become more inclusive, #OneLegWalk is also aimed at supporting initiatives that restore vandalised sports facilities to give children safe places to play, create opportunities for people living with disabilities, and rehabilitate or build shelters for people experiencing homelessness.

King Nipho also hopes his journey will inspire greater unity, peace and social cohesion in the country, reminding South Africans of the importance of ubuntu.

To stay updated with the incredible #OneLegWalk, track King Nipho via social media: Am King Nipho on Facebook; @kingniphosa on TikTok and @kingniphosa on Instagram.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram