Witbank Hospital staff experience life in a wheelchair through wheelchair race

The wheelchair race introduced the hospital staff to the daily experiences of patients.

October 28, 2025

Lindokuhle Ndhlovu 1 minute read

The Witbank Hospital staff came together for a wheelchair race aimed at promoting awareness and unity.

The Occupational Therapy Department at Witbank Tertiary Hospital recently hosted its annual wheelchair race to raise awareness about the use of wheelchairs among hospital staff.

On October 24, the hospital community, consisting of different departments and disciplines, came together for an early celebration of World Occupational Therapy Day over a session that created a sense of unity and sparked excitement and healthy competition.

Dimakatso Thobela, an occupational therapist at the hospital, explained that the race was aimed at raising awareness about occupational therapy and the crucial role it plays in promoting independence, accessibility, and mobility for individuals with disabilities.

“We wanted our colleagues to experience, even playfully, the barriers that wheelchair users encounter daily within our hospital and communities,” Dimakatso said.

The activity not only served as education but also as an advocacy, encouraging a deeper understanding of what patients face every day.

Hosted for several years previously, the event is said to have become a beloved tradition that the staff always jump for with energy, showing increased interest with every year.

“This year’s event was a great success. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, laughter, and supportive cheering. Staff welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in awareness through action,” the therapist said.

On top of that, she believes that the event also continues to play a significant role in strengthening teamwork among departments in the hospital.

Going forward, the workers said they plan to include even more members of the hospital and extend participation to the community as well. They also plan to introduce additional awareness activities that will highlight not only mobility challenges but also mental health, assistive technology, and rehabilitation.

“Our future vision is to expand education and involvement, while continuing to advocate for a more inclusive environment where accessibility is recognised as a right for all,” Dimakatso said.