Times Of Swaziland: BOY WITH NO HANDS: I WILL  BE A MECHANICAL ENGINEER

BOY WITH NO HANDS: I WILL  BE A MECHANICAL ENGINEER
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Joseph Zulu on 14/09/2024 07:15:00


NKHABA – How can one do mechanical work without hands?
For Sibonelo Khumalo, who does not have hands, this bridge will be crossed when
he gets there. For now, Sibonelo is one of the 175 pupils enrolled at
Enhlitiyweni High School, a special needs institution constructed courtesy of
the Japanese Government. The school is situated under Nkhaba Inkhundla near
Maphalaleni. It is shared by two constituencies namely Nkhaba and Maphalaleni.
It has given hope for Sibonelo who did not think he would ever have an
opportunity to be in high school.
In most developed countries, schools generally are all inclusive, meaning that
they provide education to both special needs children and those who are not.
This ensures that the children do not feel excluded or segregated against. Also,
one of the visions of the Government of Eswatini is to have an all inclusive
education where all schools will be able to cater for special needs
children.Enhlitiyweni high is said to have been constructed alongside three
other similar schools in different regions to the tune of E130 million. Each
school is said to have cost about E30 million to construct. The schools are
state-of-the art including modern facilities as well as laboratories.
Sibonelo, now 16 years old was a pupil at Mnoyakane Primary school before
getting to high school. However, since he has a disability in that he does not
have hands, enrolling at other institutions would have made it difficult for him
to learn. Schools that cater for children with disabilities such as Matsetsa
School for the deaf and St. Joseph’s Catholic School are far off for him.It is
for this reason that Sibonelo admits that Enhlitiyweni High School was a
blessing. Noteworthy, the school is one of the four built by the Japanese
Government. It was not the first time the Japanese Government has constructed
schools in the country. There is also another institution known as Sobokazana
High School, constructed in the rural community of Hhelehhele under Ntfonjeni
Inkhundla.
Sibonelo’s journey has been far from ordinary. Born with both hands, his life
took a drastic turn when an illness at the age of eight caused his hands to
deteriorate rapidly, leaving them in a state akin to decay. Doctors were forced
to make the difficult decision to amputate both hands in order to save his life.
This traumatic event, according to Sibonelo left him with no option but to adapt
quickly to situations around him so that he could be able to play with his
friends despite that he was now different.Now a pupil in Form II at Enhlitiyweni
High School, Sibonelo, according to his teachers does not let his disability
define him. He is said to be thriving in the classroom, navigating school life
with remarkable independence and determination. Just like many of his peers,
Sibonelo says he feels ordinary such that he even enjoys soccer despite his
challenge of not having hands.
When he was asked  what career path he wants to pursue after completion of high
school, without hesitation, Sibonelo said his dream is to become an engineer—a
lofty aspiration for anyone, but for him, it is an especially inspiring goal.
Sibonelo said he would not let his disability prevent him from pursuing his
goals.He was also asked how he was able to write since he did not have hands and
as a result, he could not hold a pen. However, writing has not been a challenge
for Sibonelo as he showed that he does this with ease. Using is arms, he holds
his pen and writes like any other pupil.
Surprisingly, he also has a good legible handwriting despite the disability. 
One of the teachers also revealed that Sibonelo not only writes well in his
notebooks but also on a blackboard, using chalk.For Sibonelo, the support he has
received from the school has been life-changing, but he knows that more is
needed. “I am doing well in school,” he said. Despite these challenges,
Sibonelo remains optimistic about his future. He said his dream of becoming an
engineer drives him to work hard every day, and he is confident that he will
achieve his goal.  He also said the teachers treat him like any other ordinary
child.Ivy Nosenzo, the Head teacher of the school revealed that just like many
other schools in the country, the government continued to support the school.
This included also catering for the pupils.
... Obtained Second Class pass for Standard V
MAPHALALENI – Despite evident struggle of not having hands, Sibonelo Khumalo
competed with other pupils for Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC) and obtained a
Second Class pass.
He was a pupil at Mnyokane Primary School. He also revealed that he lived with
his grandmother.Meanwhile, the high school has many facilities which makes it
easier for children with disabilities to feel at home. The school also has
wheelchairs which pupils who cannot walk use. Also, it was constructed with
ramps for easy  accessibility for the children.Ivy Nosenzo revealed that the
team of teachers at the school had been equipped and were very committed in
ensuring that they catered for the children.
... No proper uniform, donate
MAPHALALENI – It is not a secret that many children at the school are needy,
including Sibonelo Khumalo.This was evident when reporters from Eswatini News
visited the school. When a request was made to interview Sibonelo and take a
photo of him, he revealed that he was not properly dressed for the photo as he
did not have a shirt as well as school branded sweater. He was wearing a
different colour sweater but was permitted to do so due to the weather.Sibonelo
had to borrow a shirt as well as sweater from another pupil within the school
for the purpose of the photo.  He also revealed that he lived with his
grandmother and just like many pupils, had financial struggles.
The head teacher at Enhlitiyweni, Ivy Nosenzo, acknowledged these challenges but
emphasised the school’s commitment in ensuring that all pupils, including
Sibonelo, have access to the resources they need. She also urged that parents
should not keep children with disabilities at home when they were supposed to be
in school. “This school was built for them and they are welcome here,” she
stated.She further revealed that courtesy of the Japanese government, members of
the community were sensitised about the importance of ensuring that children
with disabilities were able to attend school, like any  other child.
It has not been uncommon in the country that children with disabilities were
kept at home. Some, according to previous reports by this publication were kept
indoors, as if to hide them from the public. The Deputy Prime Minister’s
office has been in the forefront to ensure that such children were accorded the
opportunity to be in school as well as to be treated like any other
child.Despite these hurdles, the school is thriving academically. Nosenzo
proudly points to the school’s 100 percent pass rate for the Junior
Certificate (JC) examinations last year as a testament to the dedication of both
the pupils and teachers. This year marks a significant milestone for
Enhlitiyweni, as it will be the first time the school’s Form V pupils will sit
for the Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education (EGCSE) exams. The
head teacher said she was confident that the pupils will continue to excel.
Meanwhile, originally built to serve children with special needs, the school’s
pupil population is a blend of both special needs and those without
disabilities. Of the 175 pupils, only 12 are classified as having special needs.
Nosenzo views this mix as a positive development, noting that it encourages
inclusivity and understanding among the pupils. “It’s a good thing,”
Nosenzo explained.  She said this was because children were able to learn
together despite their condition and that this fostered an environment of mutual
respect and support.
... We will ensure his dream comes true – Mabulala
MBABANE – This school is a sign that our government does not discriminate
against people with disabilities. This was noted by Minister Mabulala Maseko,
who is also the Member Parliament of Maphalaleni Inkhundla. Maseko is also a
former Head teacher of Maphalaleni High School.Maseko said in the past children
with special needs struggled to get a quality education but this was no longer
the case. He revealed that there are four such schools in all the regions,
courtesy of the government of Japan.Further, Maseko revealed that the school
benefits two constituencies and also three chiefdoms namely Kuvinjenlweni,
Nkhaba and also Maphalaleni. Though the land on which the school is built is
under Nkhaba Inkhundla, Maseko was the pioneer of its construction alongside
representatives from the  various three chiefdoms.
He further revealed that the school provides free transport to children with
disabilities so that they are able to get to school. Also, he said the Deputy
Prime Minister’s (DPM)lso financially supported the pupils, adding that this
was a sign the government did not discriminate against people with
disabilities.Speaking about Sibonelo Khumalo, who wants to be an engineer yet
does not have hands, Maseko said he was confident the government would do
whatever it takes to see to it that his dream is realised. Maseko said Sibonelo
should continue excelling as there were many opportunities available through
scholarships whereby he would be catered for.The Minister also commended the
government of Japan for collaborating with Eswatini in constructing the schools
which are now provide inclusive education.