By Buziwe Nocuze
• Members of Siyaphila Disability Group each give R50 from their disability grants every month to help struggling disabled residents in Khayelitsha.
• The group repairs broken wheelchairs, builds wheelchair ramps and donates mobility equipment to people who cannot afford it.
A Khayelitsha man who was left paralysed after being shot during a taxi war is now changing the lives of disabled people in his community.
Ayaleboha Kopo Shokoa, who is 33 years old, was shot in Vrygrond in 2014 when he was just 22 years old.
The shooting left him paralysed and forced him to rebuild his life.
Instead of giving up, Shokoa started Siyaphila Disability Group to support disabled people who struggle to get basic necessities.
“I started the group after I noticed that most disabled people are struggling to get adult nappies and wheelchairs,” said Shokoa.
“We also assist in building ramps for those who struggle to move their wheelchairs in their homes and we also fix broken wheelchairs.”
The group has 22 members who also motivate and support one another.
Shokoa said every member contributes R50 a month from their disability grants to help people in need.
“Even though it is not enough and doesn’t cover our needs, we could not sit back and do nothing while our fellow people are struggling and suffering,” he said.
Shokoa said the group needs donations to continue helping the community.
“We need all the help we can get. Even if people donate old wheelchairs, we are going to fix them for those who do not have wheelchairs or those using broken wheelchairs,” he said.
Nontsikelelo Bikitsha joined the group in 2023 and says it changed her life.
“The group helped me a lot. It taught me how to deal with the challenges we face as disabled people,” said Bikitsha.
“I was very shy and did not want to use the word disability. Now I am a better person and I have grown.”
She said helping others gives her purpose.
“It is very stressful not to have adult nappies or a wheelchair to move around,” she said.
“So I am not complaining about donating because I know I am bringing change into someone’s life.”
Song Songezo Ndimanda praised the group after it donated a wheelchair to a five year old girl.
“The girl was using an old adult wheelchair while she was still a child,” said Ndimanda.
“I will forever be grateful for what they did for her.”
Image Caption: Members of Siyaphila Disability Group in Khayelitsha help struggling disabled residents with wheelchairs and ramps.
Picture: Ayaleboha Kopo Shokoa
