Disabled Hennenman youngster gets wheelchair

“It is for me, they brought me a brand new wheelchair!” exclaimed the 10-year-old Kananelo Sebetoane when members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Hennenman handed the life-changing aid to him.

Sebetoane, who lives with his grandmother and five siblings, was born with a disability that left his legs paralysed.

“I took Kananelo in when his mother died. He was just a little boy,” said his grandmother Martha Malefane.

She said when she first received the news that SAPS wanted to donate a wheelchair to her grandson, she thought that it was a joke and did not even tell Kananelo because she did not want him to be disappointed when this dream did not come true.

Malefane could not contain her joy when they were fetched for the wheelchair handover ceremony.

“I cannot begin to express my gratitude, I am so very happy that they decided to give the chair to Kananelo,” she said with tears streaming down her face.

The 52-year-old granny is the only breadwinner in the family of six. Besides having to take care of her whole family, she had to carry Sebetoane on her back to and from school, which is almost 35km.

“Education is very important to me. I teach all my children that no disability or any circumstance should stand in their way to getting education. This wheelchair will really help as he is growing and gaining weight. He is becoming heavy for me to carry him on my back,” Malefane added.

One of the neighbours, Kene Maduna, said she cannot think of a family who deserves this gift more than Malefane and her grandchild.

“After Kananelo’s mother died, he had to grow up very quickly. Even with his disability, he tries to help his grandmother where he can with house chores.

“One of the things everyone around here admires about the family is the fact that even though Malefane carries her grandchild to school every day, they have never once been late even in the depth of winter.

“We as a community are so very happy that the SAPS of Hennenman decided to help this family,” Madona added.

Sergeant Tseleng Ngaka said they heard about Sebetoane and his grandmother’s plight from members of the community. SAPS Hennenman then decided to help.

They approached medical practices in the area for assistance. Dr Mokena Photolo offered to help with a wheelchair.

The handing over of the wheelchair took place at Dr. Photolo’s consulting rooms in the Oppenheimer Park Shopping Complex.

Hennenman SAPS Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mmuso Ntobela thanked his colleagues as well as Dr. Photolo.

“It is a great thing for SAPS members to build good relations with the public as well as other professionals in general,” said Ntobela.