Gugulethu man pairs amputees with shoes

Wheelchair-bound Xolile Tyulu is the epitome of a die-hard optimist.

A victim of a shooting incident which left him paralysed in 1995, Mr Tyulu, of Gugulethu, is always positive about life and looking at ways of helping other disabled people.

“I was not all ways like this. At one stage I wanted to commit suicide but because my family is supportive I pulled through,” he said.

These days he collects food, wheelchairs and shoes for the disabled.

“I drive all over the city collecting these for the disabled because most of them live in serious poverty with little or no support at all,” he said.

He said amputees find the cost of shoes expensive because they have to buy a pair only to throw the other shoe aside.

Mr Tyulu says he now encourages amputees to keep the shoe they are not using so he can give it to someone who needs it.

Last week at a sport games for disabled people, Mr Tyulu handed over these shoes to a group of amputees.

One of the recipients, Noxolo Langa, said she was excited to receive shoes from Mr Tyulu.

“These will help me because I often struggle to get one shoe,” she said.

Disability Right Matters official Belinda Nkonzo said she was proud of the work done by Mr Tyulu.

“It is good to seed a disabled person looking after others; he gives hope to others,” said Ms Nkonzo.

Councillor Luvuyo Zondani said Mr Tyulu was living proof that “disability is not inability”.

“His work is commendable and I hope the greater community will help him,” Zondani said.

Many disabled people regard Mr Tyulu as “their social worker” because he goes out of his way to help them.