Malay and Bunty with Jitesh Takoorparsad, who turns twenty-one years old this year, and as is every year, his family donates a wheelchair to someone in need.
Image: SUPPLIED
For 21 years, the Takoorparsad family have walked alongside their son Jitesh with love, patience and unwavering faith. Now, they have chosen to mark each of those years with a gift of mobility, donating 21 wheelchairs to individuals who cannot afford their own.
The initiative, done in partnership with local LGBTQ+ group Soul Sisters, reflects their deep commitment to helping others. Two of the wheelchairs were given to residents of the Durban and Coastal Mental Health (DCMH) facility in Phoenix, where Jitesh receives care.
Born a normal, healthy baby boy, Jitesh Takoorparsad was diagnosed with septicaemia allegedly following complications after his routine six‑week baby vaccination. His parents, Malay and Bunty, began seeking medical assistance in the hope that he would get better. Twenty‑one years later, the family have had no joy legally or medically with regard to Jitesh’s condition.
Over the years, as part of their search for treatment, Jitesh was enrolled at the Phoenix branch of the Durban and Coastal Mental Health (DCMH) facility in Clayfield, Phoenix. Previously known as Happy Homes, the specialised non‑profit organisation provides 24‑hour, person‑centred care for individuals with intellectual and mental disabilities.
“When we saw other children at the facility who were worse off than Jitesh, it broke my heart,” said Malay. “As a mother I felt very overwhelmed, and as a family we all felt in our heart that we had to help. Jitesh is 21 years old and we make use of the wheelchair occasionally. We still try to treat him as normally as we can by sometimes carrying him around. But we see others worse than Jitesh, where they need the wheelchair. We know how difficult it is to carry Jitesh, and some people are heavier. Some people are in more difficult situations. They are people who really need a wheelchair to move from one place to another.”
Joining forces with Soul Sisters Production, the Takoorparsads began donating wheelchairs to those in need. Malay explains that Farida Jalal and members of Soul Sisters Production became family over the years.
“In the early days, members of Soul Sisters gave me a lot of encouragement. They stood by my side when I felt it was the end of the world for me. If you look at other children that are normal, and I think: why must my child be like this? But when I saw other children there, it really broke me, and that is when we started working with Farida and Soul Sisters in donating wheelchairs.”
This year, Soul Sisters Production, together with One Stop Security, One Stop Foundation and the Beena Sitaram Foundation, held the 21st Jitesh Takoorparsad Wheelchair Drive, donating 21 wheelchairs over 21 years.
“This initiative stands as yet another example of service delivery in action, restoring dignity, mobility and hope where it is needed most,” said Jalal.
For the Takoorparsads, donating the wheelchairs helps them give back to a community whose struggles they know well.
“As long as we can make a difference in one person’s life, we are happy that we have helped,” said Malay.