November is a month in which peoples focus is on disability issues. The Limpopo Department of Agriculture took part in honouring this month as a sign of caring to all physically challenged employees. Special programs sub-branch felt the need to honour this day by making a big surprise to one of the employees within the department.
On Wednesday 26 November 2009, the MEC for Limpopo Department of Agriculture Mme Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba officially handed over an automatic wheelchair to Ms Malapane Malope who is one of the departmental employees. This was done as part of honouring disability awareness month. Ms Malapane Malope was using a manual wheel chair since she joined the department on 3 November 2008. Seeing the need for her mobility, the departmental special programme sub ranch’s Senior Manager Mrs Veronica Motswi and her fellow colleagues decided to look for a donor who can assist Malope to get an electronic wheelchair.
Various well-known organisations were contacted for donations but nothing positive came out except promises. Finally a kind hearted donor who understands the need decided to answer this plight by donating one of the most expensive electronic wheelchairs to this young lady just for her to move around without experiencing difficulties like any other able person. During the handing over one could see happiness from Mme Dipuo Letsatsi Duba’s face when handing over the electronic wheeler to Malope. Looking at the gift she said she can feel the importance of the gift and she also repeated words of appreciation. She emphasised words of encouragement to the giver by saying that this should not be only in this department but to others too. “Retloga re e tumela, as this will make her life easier,” said the MEC.
In receiving her gift, out of surprise and shock Malope looked at the type of her gift while fighting back her tears. And she said, “this is what I have been dreaming of, I told myself that in ten years to come I will be having this; but here I am today having it. Not anyone can receive this kind of a gift.” She thanked her department, a donor and the special programme sub-branch for taking care of her. The wrap-up was done by the Acting Head of Department (HOD) Professor Edward Nesamvuni who extended words of appreciation to the donor on behalf of the MEC and the top management.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Limpopo Provincial Government
26 November 2009
Source: Department of Agriculture, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.lda.gov.za/)
