Manqoba Shangase, a 20-year-old young man living with cerebral palsy, is about to celebrate a special milestone—his 21st birthday. His journey has been shaped by courage, love, and a community that continues to support and uplift him.
“After he was born, we attended physiotherapy and the UMzamo Guidance Clinic at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital,” says his mother, Dolly Shangase. “That’s when I learned that he needed to start attending school. He was about six years old at the time.”
It was during this journey that Dolly met Mrs. Mthuli, the late founder of Masibambaneni Day Care for children with disabilities—affectionately known as KwaGogo. “She welcomed us with warmth and love. Unfortunately, she’s no longer with us, but her legacy lives on,” Dolly recalls.
Today, Manqoba still lives at KwaGogo along with ten other young adults with various disabilities. KwaGogo continues to be a place of care, community, and dignity for its residents.
As part of its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals in KwaZulu-Natal, the Operation Jumpstart Association (OJA) is thrilled to support Manqoba with something life-changing—a brand-new wheelchair.
Mabusi Kgwete, board secretary of OJA and Mrs June McIntyre, Occupational Therapist and former OJA Wheelchair Coordinator delivered the custom-built wheelchair to Manqoba together with social worker from APC, Ntsiki Ngcamu, and helped him settle comfortably into his “wheels”.
“OJA has truly changed our lives,” says Dolly with joy. “For the first time, I’ll be able to take my son to the beach, to church, and to the mall.”
This heartfelt acknowledgement aligns with OJA’s vision of enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable communities across the province. Through initiatives like this, OJA continues to empower families, promote inclusion, and create meaningful change.
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