A 10-year-old Motherwell boy’s dream of having two hands came true when the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino and Sun International fulfilled waitress Zoliswa Qolo’s wish of a prosthetic limb for her son.
“Sun International annually affords its employees to submit their wishes, which range from settling of school fees, paying medical bills, to building shelters, etc.,” explained Boardwalk Human Resources Manager, Nopinkie Timba.
It was a big surprise on July 26, when Yamkela Qolo was fitted with the artificial limb, valued at R150 000. This was part of Sun International’s CEO’s Sun Wish campaign that grants one wish chosen by employees from across the group each year, selected by the Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Leeming.
Speaking to PE Express about how the prosthetic hand will enhance Qolo’s life, MNP Orthopaedics senior orthotist, Ettienne Zwart, said, “… as the hand is fully functional, Yamkela will be able to play soccer with it. As he is a goalie, he can now be able to hold the ball with both hands.”
For Zoliswa, the prosthetic hand is an answer to a decade of prayer.
“I was so excited when I found out that Yamkela would be receiving the hand. This hand will also help him to count during his maths tests,” said Zoliswa.
“When Yamkela was born and the doctors told me he had one hand, I was shocked and scared, questioning why it had happened to me, and how my son was going to cope.
“Society can be cruel, especially children, who ask why he has one hand. God has now answered all the questions, together with Sun International,” she added.
Driven by her son’s requests for the expensive artificial limb, Zoliswa, who has worked at the Boardwalk since 2015, decided to submit her wish.
“Sun International’s Sun Wish has answered one of my life’s biggest wishes and it is going to change Yamkela’s life,” she added.
Yamkela, who is in Grade 4 at St Augustine’s Primary School, was overjoyed with the life-changing device which he said will help improve his soccer.
“I am a goalkeeper, so my prosthetic hand will help me to grab the ball,” he said.
“Having 10 fingers is also going to help me do maths faster, because I can count more easily.”
Zoliswa shared that when Qolo was writing a test, he had trouble counting with his hands and Zoliswa told him to use five crayons to substitute his deformity, so that he could count to 10.
The Boardwalk Hotel and Casino General Manager Tati Tsunke said he was delighted that the hospitality and entertainment group could make such a big difference to Qolo’s life.
Tati sent the motivation letter, written by Zoliswa, to the head office, and the committee that deliberates who gets the wish, consisting of CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and Human Resources Manager, met and decided that Zoliswa would be the recipient of the grant this year.
“It is so rewarding to be able to make a difference within the community, which is part of Sun International’s corporate strategy, and Boardwalk is overjoyed that our CEO Anthony chose to fulfil Zoliswa’s wish,” Tati said.
