A young woman from Evaton, Gauteng, who faced significant mobility challenges and had been forced to rely on a wheelbarrow to travel to the clinic, has received a life-changing wheelchair donation from the Collen Mashawana Foundation. Image: Supplied.
Women's Month
1Min
South Africa
Collen Mashawana Foundation restores dignity for Evaton woman with wheelchair donation
A young Evaton woman who relied on her family to push her in a wheelbarrow when she needed to access healthcare has received a wheelchair from the Collen Mashawana Foundation, restoring her mobility, independence and dignity.
A young woman from Evaton, Gauteng, who faced significant mobility challenges and had been forced to rely on a wheelbarrow to travel to the clinic, has received a life-changing wheelchair donation from the Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF).
The foundation visited Kemoneilwe Manyape and her family on 20 August as part of its Women’s Month initiative, which focuses on supporting women living with disabilities and limited access to mobility assistance.
For some time, Manyape did not have a wheelchair. Whenever she needed to visit the clinic to access medication, her family had to push her in a wheelbarrow.
Her circumstances were brought to the attention of the foundation by JEZN Holdings, through its director, EM Maduna, who appealed to CMF for assistance.
Responding to the request, the foundation donated a wheelchair to Manyape, enabling her to move around more safely and making it easier for her to access essential healthcare and participate in her community.
The donation forms part of CMF’s weekly wheelchair programme running throughout August. The initiative prioritises women living with disabilities and mobility challenges who have limited access to assistive devices.
The foundation said the programme goes beyond providing wheelchairs, seeking instead to remove barriers that prevent women from participating fully in their families and communities.
“No woman should be denied her dignity simply because she cannot afford or access a wheelchair,” the foundation said.
“Mobility gives people the freedom to access healthcare, participate in their communities and live with greater independence.”
CMF also acknowledged Manyape’s sister, Sillah Ramogwase, for the care and commitment she continues to provide, while thanking JEZN Holdings for bringing the family’s circumstances to its attention.
The foundation said its weekly wheelchair donations would continue throughout Women’s Month, with the broader goal of ensuring that women living with mobility challenges are not left behind.
“Restoring dignity, one life at a time,” remains the foundation’s message behind the initiative.
