Hit by a car, stabbed, left wheelchair-bound, and hit by a car again.
These are only some of the challenges that Rogers Manyate has had to overcome to be able to provide for his family, even as a physically impaired man.
Manyate (53) is a household name in Glenhurd, having been a car guard for more than 25 years, and currently stationed outside Glenhurd Supermarket, in Handsworth Street.
Many might have seen Manyate on his crutches, caliper on his left leg, moving slowly outside the supermarket, struggling to walk but doing his best to provide for his family as he is the only breadwinner.
At the moment he is dependent on the crutches, and since his left leg is still partially paralysed and slightly shorter than the right, he wears a caliper brace.
However, this only worsens his situation because the brace is digging into his leg and knee, causing severe pain and strain.
Nevertheless, every day, he still makes his way via taxi from his shack in the Joe Slovo informal settlement to Greenacres, then walks to Glenhurd Supermarket, although it takes him a long time to get there.
Manyate explained that before he became a car guard he had a job at a factory, but was attacked in 1988 after working late, and was stabbed in the neck and chest.
“I was stabbed on the left side of my neck and that damaged the nerves on the left side of my body. Before that, I was hit by a car, and when I became paralysed following the stabbing, I was in a wheelchair.
“I was helped by a physiotherapist and even sent to Cape Town for physio. It took me a very long time and lots of physio appointments, but it helped me to at least walk with crutches and a caliper, but not before I was hit by a car again in my wheelchair,” he explained.
“I had to get surgery and plates inserted in my leg, which was damaged even more after the car hit me. I kept coming to work because what must I do? My wife does not work and we must put food on the table. I am in pain but what must I do?”
A member of the community who has been helping Manyate make ends meet for 25 years, Gillian Blom, has now started a BackaBuddy campaign to help Manyate get a new leg brace, to make life just a little easier for him.
“He has been facing so many difficulties, yet he just keeps on going. His perseverance, tenacity and endurance in the face of all these trials are very inspiring,” said Blom.
“Three years ago, shortly after he had suffered a mild stroke, his shack also burned down, and I successfully managed to campaign for him through Facebook and WhatsApp groups to raise funds.
“Father’s House Church got involved and arranged all the materials. They rebuilt his shack and he received numerous donations of clothing, bedding and furniture. His caliper was unfortunately too badly damaged to repair so he had to go through government channels to get a replacement which took many months,” Blom explained.
She added that Ruan Lundt from Lundt Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. offered to consult with Manyate and to fix his caliper boot.
“His actual caliper is very old and ill-fitting and not suited to him. Technology has moved on and Ruan recommended a KAFO brace to replace it. This would be lighter and is custom-made.
“It will make it easier for him to get around as the current one is very cumbersome and heavy. The cost is very high at R20 000, even with Ruan doing the fitting for free. A campaign to raise funds is really the only way we can achieve our goal,” she said.
Anyone who would like to help Manyate get the KAFO brace can visit his BackaBuddy campaign page on https://www.backabuddy.co.za/.
