The power of social media has made it possible for Zolani Gosangaye to finally receive a much-needed wheelchair.
Local philanthropist, Ryan Ward, saw Gosangaye’s post on Facebook, asking for assistance with groceries and nappies, and immediately formulated a plan to get a wheelchair for him.
The 30-year-old was attacked while living on the streets.
He was stabbed in the back and his injuries left him paralysed. Due to the severity of his wounds, doctors had to amputate his leg.
“When I was in hospital back in March, I was stressing about how I was going to live.
“I have no parents and my 21-year-old brother are looking for a school so he can study.
“We depend only on my disability grant money.
“I made that post asking for help because I need to use nappies now and we had no food. I did not even include the need for a new wheelchair in the post.
“I would like to thank Ryan and Dominic for donating this wheelchair. I call it Ferrari because it has my favourite colours, red and black.
“It is comfortable and I love everything about it,” Gosangaye said.
Gosangaye’s Facebook post received many positive responses, with many people donating groceries and other necessities.
Ward has been involved in charity work for many years and took it on himself to source a wheelchair for Gosangaye.
“I was scrolling through Facebook and when I read Zolani’s post, and I felt like it was a cry for help. I contacted my friend Dominic Sierra in Johannesburg, and he was able to arrange a custom-made wheelchair for Zolani.
“Zolani is an incredible man and we are very happy to have been able to make his life better.
“This is the mission we are working towards. We want to be a blessing in people’s lives and empower them,” Ward said.
Gosangaye has been enjoying his wheelchair, saying it had brought him a great sense of independence.
“I am speechless. I am so grateful. Before, I could not transfer myself from the bed to the chair, but now I can.
“It is a custom-made chair, so everything is easier. I can even travel to town and fetch my grant money by myself.
“Now I can go to the bathroom and do other daily activities without that much assistance,” Gosangaye said.
