In the remote village of Gazini, KwaZulu-Natal, 13-year-old Sikholelwe Zikhali, a bright and motivated Grade 7 student at Mankunzi Primary School, has spent years overcoming immense challenges in pursuit of attending school. But now, as she prepares to transition to high school, the greatest obstacle yet threatens to stand in her way.
Pictured above: 13-year-old Sikholelwe Zikhali
Sikholelwe, who developed paraplegia at the age of five, faces a daily struggle to get to school. Each morning, she wakes up, washes, dresses, and is helped into her home wheelchair. From there, she is swung onto her mother, Khululiwe Sibiya (51), back and is carried three kilometers through thick beach sand before being transferred into her school wheelchair. The journey is grueling, but it is the only way she can access an education. At school, her friends assist her up a broken patio into a cramped prefab classroom, where she transfers out of her wheelchair onto a standard desk-and-bench setup. Despite these challenges, she remains dedicated to her studies, performing well according to her teachers and principal.
Her academic achievements are remarkable, she consistently scores a Level 7 in English, and even in her most challenging subject, Mathematics, she maintains a solid Level 5. “She is very smart,” her family shares proudly. “Being able to continue in school will definitely give her the opportunities she needs to make the most of her life!”
Pictured above: Sikholelwe with her mother Khululiwe Sibiya and her brother
During breaks, Sikholelwe enjoys throwing a ball or sitting under a tree with her friends. Even the simplest of tasks, like using the toilet, require assistance. Two of her closest friends accompany her to the pit toilets, helping her navigate the uneven and elevated platform. Each day, this routine is repeated, a testament to her resilience and the unwavering support of her mother and friends.
However, as Sikholelwe grows, so does the strain on her mother, who carries her to and from school. With no public transport options available and no wheelchair capable of handling the deep sand, the family has tirelessly advocated for a solution. For three years, they have brought their concerns before local and district government officials, department of education representatives, and disability office representatives. Yet, nothing has changed.
Pictured above: Sikholelwe being carried to school by her mother
The biggest fear is that without an alternative means of getting to school, Sikholelwe may be forced to drop out, an unthinkable outcome for a young girl with such promise. The local rehabilitation department, known for its extensive wheelchair services, has provided various models, but none are designed to handle the challenging terrain. Even power chairs, often considered a viable mobility solution, fail within meters of use due to the thick sand. The available options simply do not meet the demands of Sikholelwe’s daily journey.
Hope, however, has emerged in the form of an adapted Segway, a revolutionary mobility device capable of tackling the rugged landscape of Gazini. Unlike conventional wheelchairs, this Segway features fat tires and a self-balancing gyro mechanism, allowing it to navigate deep sand, bush paths, and inclines with ease. Sikholelwe, her parents Khululiwe and Nkosinathi Zikhali (51), and the local wheelchair services manager have tested the chair, and the results were undeniable, it outperforms anything currently available. Additionally, its long-term maintenance costs are lower than those of a traditional power chair, making it a sustainable solution for the years ahead.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Oig-S7sWsHQ?si=A6GT4BbIrI8tCY-X
For Sikholelwe, the Segway represents more than just mobility, it’s a gateway to a fuller, more independent life. “I’m so excited to finally have independence, to play, visit my friends, go to church, and even watch a soccer game,” Sikholelwe shares. “It will make such a difference for me and help take some of the burden off my mother. I know having it will make me more confident and independent.”
Her mother expresses her unwavering love and devotion. “Children are a gift from God, and this one is so special,” she says with a smile. “I will do anything to help her, it’s not a chore for me. Sikholelwe is an exceptional child.“
With this Segway, Sikholelwe will not only be able to continue her education but will also gain access to her community in ways she never has before. No longer reliant on friends to visit her at home, she will be able to attend community meetings, watch sports games, and participate fully in village life. It is a chance to break free from isolation and embrace independence.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/yN12p81nulI
To turn this life-changing opportunity into reality, a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign has been launched. Thanks to the generosity of 43 donors, the family has already raised over R65,000 toward their R150,000 goal. These funds are urgently needed to secure the adapted Segway, with all donations going directly to the supplier to ensure Sikholelwe receives the mobility device she needs. Depending on the total funds raised, the Segway base and chair will be purchased together or separately.
“We probably can’t put this into words properly, but thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless each one of you for your donations and care. Sikholelwe has already shown extraordinary resilience, refusing to let circumstances dictate her future. Now, she needs a community to rally behind her and help remove the barriers that stand in her way. Every contribution brings her closer to the independence she deserves, ensuring that she can continue her education and one day pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.” the family shares.