WeeklySA_AdminGESTURE: A chance meeting with the Eastern Cape premier has radically changed one-legged man’s life of dependency…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
In an act of goodwill, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has come to the rescue of a destitute elderly man who desperately needed an artificial leg.
After encountering Albert Nondiza, and learning of his plight, while visiting his rural village a few months ago, Mabuyane was so touched so much that he committed to lend a helping hand.
Nondiza, a village headman from Bojane locality in Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape, has been confined to a wheelchair since contracting a disease believed to be diabetes, which left his leg swollen and septic, forcing the doctors to amputate it. This left him unable to perform menial duties that he used to do effortlessly by himself and was forced to depend on others.
But all that changed this week when Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Ward 8 chairman, Nobuntu Mgidi, paid him a surprise visit and presented him with an artificial leg donated by Mabuyane. The poignant moment left him beaming from ear to ear.
Said Mgidi: “We feel very proud and happy today that our provincial chairperson and premier has changed his life for the better. It was disheartening to see him in his condition and we are grateful to the premier for his good deed. We also feel proud today that, in this Women’s month, we are able to drive home the message of fighting gender-based violence, not only in this village, but in communities throughout the province and the country.”
Fighting back tears of joy, Nondiza said he was overjoyed by the good gesture from the premier. “Ndiswele imilomo eliwaka (I am lost for words). What he (Mabuyane) did for me has changed my life. He was visiting the neighbouring Madladleni village when he saw my situation and immediately promised to do something and today he has kept his word,” said Nondiza.
Relating his story, Nondiza said he had been to several doctors after struggling to walk and experiencing excruciating pain in his leg.
“The worst part is that, after several tests, the doctors still didn’t detect any disease, such as diabetes, which might have caused it. The leg then became so swollen to the point of getting rotten. I consulted traditional healers who told me that I had been bewitched and the damage was already severe.
“Doctors then told me they had no choice but to amputate. Since then, I have been living a life of misery until the day I met the premier. This is the happiest day of my life. May God bless him,” he said happily.
Mabuyane was not available for comment at the time of writing.
