GROWING up, life was not easy for Thulani Lukhele.
But the 32-year-old from Mondlo Village in Nquthu, KZN, has now made a good life for himself.
Thulani said he never had a relationship with his late mum, Dudu Tsotetsi.
They reunited after 18 years, but his mum died a week later.
“My mother had abandoned me as a baby because she didn’t want to raise a child living with a disability.
“I was born with polio. My left leg is shorter than the right one. I use crutches to walk,” said Thulani.
He said his mother had sent him to his father’s family in Eswatini, where he was raised by his gogo Khelinah Dlamini, who is now 100 years old.
“I never had school shoes and used to walk long distances as a herdboy. One day my legs got tired while I was in the mountains and I had to use my hands to go back home,” he said.
Thulani said before his mum died, he wanted to tell her he forgave her.
He said his life changed when he came back to Mzansi.
“I met Ameliah Khubeka who gave me love, shelter and food. She even sent me to school to study computers. After completing my studies, she found me a job as a receptionist and a switchboard operator at The Grace Hotel in Rosebank, Joburg.
“I regained my confidence and blossomed. Many job opportunities came. I’ve worked for a number of companies including Avis Car Rental, Logwin, RTT and Manica,” said Thulani.
Today, Thulani is one of the coaches at Edupower Skill Academy in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni.
