Student reshapes his future in the face of challenges

Student Maripane Miltaffer with Campus Social Worker Ms Nomkhosi Molopyane

Until a fateful 14 February, Maripane Mmaladithomo Miltaffer was a typical TVET College student at the Brakpan Campus of Ekurhuleni East TVET College.

He was following the Nated Report 191 N5 Financial Management programme.

Traditionally a day of love, on that fateful Valentine’s Day, Maripane learnt in a single, tragic moment just how fragile life is. How life as we know it, that life that we take so for granted, can be changed irrevocably in an instant.

Returning home by train from an Induction Day at the campus, he was seated next to an open window at the Delmor station when a passer-by snatched his cap and ran off with it.

When Maripane chased after him down the platform to retrieve his cap, members of the community misinterpreted the situation and, thinking he was the one who had stolen the cap, pulled him off the moving train as he tried to re-board it.

He lost his footing and fell onto the tracks where both his legs were amputated 20cm above the knee.

Miraculously he survived his initial horrific injuries but this marked the start of a long, hard road to physical and emotional recovery which Maripane is still travelling.

He has a wheelchair and has been fitted with prostheses which he is learning to use. But coming to terms with his disability and finding a belief in his future, is harder. “But” says Maripane “it was through this experience that I also learnt the true meaning of care and support.

Care and support has flowed from my family and also from the College Principal, Ms Happy Sibande, my Campus Manager, my lecturers and student friends. Campus Social Worker, Ms Nomkhosi Molopyane has maintained constant contact with me since the accident and made herself available for one-on-one and telephonic trauma counselling.

My lecturers prepared work for me throughout the academic year and either delivered it themselves or couriered it via my classmates”.

With the assistance of Mr de Villiers from DHET, Campus Manager, Ms Mamono Mofokeng arranged a concession for him to write the N5 and subsequently N6 exams at his home where he was supervised by one of his lecturers, Mr Stoltz or a Campus SSS Officer.

In spite of the trauma and enormous emotional adjustment he has had to face, Maripane passed all his N5 and N6 Financial Management subjects.

Securing a suitable internship placement to enable him to complete his Diploma and graduate is proving a challenge for the College because of his special needs. However, he remains positive and optimistic and, as such, is an inspiration to others.

“I have learnt that I have to apply my own unique ABC in my life,” he says. “My attitude and my belief in myself and my future are what will make the difference. With God’s help, I am the only one who can choose how I wish to face my future and live my life.”

By Fiona Mcfarlan

Source TVET College Times