The Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Councillor Deon De Vos, recently visited Langbos in Addo, Sundays River Valley Municipality, alongside Speaker of the Sundays River Valley Municipality, Councillor Siseko Nodonti, local ward councillor, Nokuzola Baxana, and senior municipal officials.
The visit was to deliver a wheelchair-friendly temporary structure, blankets, and personal hygiene materials to 17-year-old Iviwe Dyasi, a young victim of a tragic rail accident.
Iviwe was left paralysed from the waist down following a devastating collision in February of last year, when a minibus taxi carrying her and other pupils from Samkelwe SSS crashed into a moving train at a railway crossing in Nomathamsanqa Township, Addo.
The accident claimed several lives, including the driver’s, and left Dyasi with severe injuries. Since then, her life has changed significantly, and she has been unable to attend school owing to limited accessibility and inadequate transport.
Speaking at the ceremonial handover, Mayor De Vos said, “This visit was not just to provide Iviwe with a structure to improve her living conditions. We are here to assess her situation and determine what support we can provide to help her achieve her life’s aspirations.”
The Mayor confirmed that a task team comprising all relevant stakeholders would be formed to ensure Dyasi receives the necessary resources and assistance, including exploring educational opportunities suited to her needs.
For Dyasi, who dreams of resuming her education, the gesture marked a significant turning point.
“I’m truly grateful for all the support I’ve received today,” she said with emotion. “This feels like a second chance, and I’d love to return to school in an environment where I can interact with other learners like me. It would mean the world to have conversations and feel understood.”
The teen added that before receiving the structure, moving around her home was not easy, and her mother, Vuyikazi Dyasi, had to help her with the basic things she used to do without even thinking.
“My life after that accident really changed, I had to adjust to a lot of things, and I can say I still am [adjusting]. Simple things like entering my home were difficult before the structure, because my mother had to literally carry me. Even moving around was tough I didn’t have enough space because our home is small,” she explained.
More than anything, the teen emphasised that she would like to go back to school, “After the accident, I attempted going back to school, but transport for me was a problem, so I had to stop going. I really want to go back now, because I know the importance of education,” she said. Dyasi concluded by saying the items she received along with the structure will help her, especially because colder days are approaching.
Municipality spokesperson Zusiphe Jaji reinforced the municipality’s commitment to providing targeted support, saying, “We are determined to work with various stakeholders to ensure Iviwe and those in similar circumstances have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and overcome.”
She added that Dyasi’s story has united communities and the municipality to come forth with meaningful solutions. “Her resilience and determination serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by many, particularly young individuals affected by life-changing circumstances.”
The task team spearheaded by Mayor De Vos will take immediate steps to begin addressing the teen’s needs beyond the recent handover. Efforts will include finding suitable schooling opportunities, improving access to educational resources, and ongoing psychosocial and mobility support.
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