Born without the use of her legs, Ibongwe Sidwadweni, was significantly confined and excluded by her mobility needs all her life, until now.
Tsolo Location, South Africa (31 July 2025) – In the heart of Tsolo Location in the Eastern Cape lives a resilient family and even more courageous daughter who has faced the challenges of disability with remarkable strength and radiates a bright spirit that inspires everyone she meets.
Ibongwe Sidwadweni was born without the use of her legs and has been raised with love and strength by her grandmother after being abandoned by her mother. True to the spirit of “Umtana kaMakhulu” (gogo’s child), her grandmother has been her pillar, raising her on limited resources and unwavering devotion.
This Mandela Day, the EPR Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA), together with its longstanding partner the Sweethearts Foundation, gave Ibongwe and her family a gift that will not only significantly improve their daily lives but stay with them forever.
They presented her with a brand-new wheelchair and a generous donation of essential groceries, offering not just practical support but also restoring her dignity.
Until now, Ibongwe’s mobility needs meant her grandmother had to spend R450 monthly on specialised transport just to get her to school.
Thanks to this new wheelchair, Ibongwe will now be able to travel with her peers on regular school transport. It’s a small change that brings a world of inclusion and ease, something Ibongwe couldn’t experience before.
“This Mandela Day, we are deeply moved by stories like Ibongwe’s — reminders of the extraordinary strength within our communities and the difference we can make when we come together,” eWASA said.
A young girl previously excluded from the everyday joys of childhood adventures and activities through no fault of her own has now been given improved mobility and independence. This is what compassion in action looks like and how lives are changed.
Sources: EPR Waste Association of South Africa
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