Miracles are indeed a reality.
The beginning of January 2011 signalled an end to a well-deserved school vacation for Sanele, a grade eight pupil at Empilweni secondary school in Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal. She was anticipating the dawn of 2012 in grade nine with eagerness. Her holiday with her sister had been rewarding. Now it was time to go home to her mother, Thandi.
At home, Thandi waited for her arrival until late in the night. It was unusual; something could have befallen her daughter she deliberated. At 10 o’clock pm her qualms were confirmed with a shocking revelation.
“Your daughter has been in a serious accident. Their bus has overturned in the Ubombo mountains killing eight people on the spot. Sanele is alive but suffered serious injuries. She has been airlifted to Durban for further observation. ” She never encoded the rest of the conversation.
“I panicked and completely lost my mind when I heard the news. I just prayed she would survive,” revealed Thandi to this writer.
At the hospital, a doctor’s evaluation confirmed she had suffered multiply fractures mainly to her lower body and spine. Fortunately, her head was spared. In Durban she was admitted into the intensive trauma unit. Regrettably, Sanele does not evoke much about the horrific mishap. But she recalls hurling her body over her sister’s daughter then aged four to shield her from harm.
“I just thought of her and instantly threw myself over her to cover her from the accident. I don’t remember how I did it, but I managed to save her from the accident,” she revealed in a recent interview.
The toddler survived the accident. She only went to the hospital for a routine check up.
For a week Thandi could not afford the R200.00 trip to visit her daughter. The ordeal was intolerable. Her friends joined her for prayers but she could only lie on her belly as she pleaded for her child’s life. She could not imagine life without her angel.
“My friends encouraged me spiritually and encouraging me to be positive about my daughter,” she revealed.
The only contact with the family was Zama, Sanele’s educator who was in Durban. She kept the mother updated about her daughter’s state. Zama would relentlessly contact her and gave her hope.
Thandi would finally make the visit when she source donations from Samaritans. What she would witness shocked her; her daughter was fighting for dear life; she was unconscious and being fed with tubes. More disturbing announcement descended: her Sanele would never walk again. Despite the poignant declaration, the unification would bring tears of elation to the duo.
"She even joined us when we were singing her favourite spiritual rendition,” revealed her mother.
Sanele endured twenty five surgical operations during her in three months in hospital. Sometimes they performed three procedures in a single day. Her story was so touching but was never accorded media attention until this writer descended on the coastal town, three hundred and fifty kilometres from Durban.
In March 2011, she was transferred to hospital closer to her village. In April she commemorated her fifteenth birthday confined to the ward. During the same month she took her first steps – unaided.
In June, Sanele finally walked home from the hospital. It was six months of pain, diligence and glory. Permanent scars on her body tell a gloomy story with a blissful ending. Today after the experience the two girls are inseparable.
“I hope mothers can learn from Sanele to fight for their children’s lives,” said Thandi, finally content she had finally shared her ordeal.
The beginning of January 2011 signalled an end to a well-deserved school vacation for Sanele, a grade eight pupil at Empilweni secondary school in Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal. She was anticipating the dawn of 2012 in grade nine with eagerness. Her holiday with her sister had been rewarding. Now it was time to go home to her mother, Thandi.
At home, Thandi waited for her arrival until late in the night. It was unusual; something could have befallen her daughter she deliberated. At 10 o’clock pm her qualms were confirmed with a shocking revelation.
“Your daughter has been in a serious accident. Their bus has overturned in the Ubombo mountains killing eight people on the spot. Sanele is alive but suffered serious injuries. She has been airlifted to Durban for further observation. ” She never encoded the rest of the conversation.
“I panicked and completely lost my mind when I heard the news. I just prayed she would survive,” revealed Thandi to this writer.
At the hospital, a doctor’s evaluation confirmed she had suffered multiply fractures mainly to her lower body and spine. Fortunately, her head was spared. In Durban she was admitted into the intensive trauma unit. Regrettably, Sanele does not evoke much about the horrific mishap. But she recalls hurling her body over her sister’s daughter then aged four to shield her from harm.
“I just thought of her and instantly threw myself over her to cover her from the accident. I don’t remember how I did it, but I managed to save her from the accident,” she revealed in a recent interview.
The toddler survived the accident. She only went to the hospital for a routine check up.
For a week Thandi could not afford the R200.00 trip to visit her daughter. The ordeal was intolerable. Her friends joined her for prayers but she could only lie on her belly as she pleaded for her child’s life. She could not imagine life without her angel.
“My friends encouraged me spiritually and encouraging me to be positive about my daughter,” she revealed.
The only contact with the family was Zama, Sanele’s educator who was in Durban. She kept the mother updated about her daughter’s state. Zama would relentlessly contact her and gave her hope.
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| In the Line of Defence |
Thandi would finally make the visit when she source donations from Samaritans. What she would witness shocked her; her daughter was fighting for dear life; she was unconscious and being fed with tubes. More disturbing announcement descended: her Sanele would never walk again. Despite the poignant declaration, the unification would bring tears of elation to the duo.
"She even joined us when we were singing her favourite spiritual rendition,” revealed her mother.
Sanele endured twenty five surgical operations during her in three months in hospital. Sometimes they performed three procedures in a single day. Her story was so touching but was never accorded media attention until this writer descended on the coastal town, three hundred and fifty kilometres from Durban.
In March 2011, she was transferred to hospital closer to her village. In April she commemorated her fifteenth birthday confined to the ward. During the same month she took her first steps – unaided.
In June, Sanele finally walked home from the hospital. It was six months of pain, diligence and glory. Permanent scars on her body tell a gloomy story with a blissful ending. Today after the experience the two girls are inseparable.
“I hope mothers can learn from Sanele to fight for their children’s lives,” said Thandi, finally content she had finally shared her ordeal.
