Crocodile attack gives disabled Ravhanga a new life

Using his only hand, Masotsha Ravhanga (64) of Tshidzini village, outside Thohoyandou, has contributed to the economic development of his village and the majority of villagers depend on him, because he feeds their hungry stomachs on a daily basis. Ravhanga has established a vegetable garden next to the local stream and he sells his products to the public, to make some cash. He has also established a tuckshop where villagers frequently queue for groceries and other basic needs.

How did a disabled man with only one arm manage to achieve all this? “I only wanted to prove that the disabled are useful members of the community who can also play a leading role in transforming the lives of fellow community members. It is a matter of hard work, persistence and self-confidence,” said Ravhanga, who also thatches mud hut roofs for fellow villagers for cash. He has also thatched his five mud hut roofs on his own.

Married to unemployed Florah, with four children aged between 7 and 23, Ravhanga says it is not wise for the disabled to depend on the government disability grant only. “I had to make some plans because the disability grant was not enough to support my big family. I couldn’t just sit and watch as my family starves while I still survive. When I started the vegetable garden, the prophets of doom predicted that I would never succeed because I have only one arm. I worked very hard on my own until villagers realized that I meant serious business. I am now happy because they are supporting me by buying my products. I dropped out of school in Std 5 and I have to do this hard manual job because I am not educated. I then established a tuckshop and people never hesitated to support me because they no longer have to travel long distances for basic needs.”

With tears running down his face, Ravhanga describes how he survived the horrible crocodile attack: “It happened in 1956 when I was taking a bath with my friends at the local Ngwedi River. The crocodile suddenly appeared from nowhere and grabbed me by my leg, pulling me into the deep water. My friends ran away and they were convinced that I was dead, but I fought hard with the beast until I grabbed a reed and stabbed it in its mouth. Feeling the pain in its mouth, the crocodile freed me, but it disappeared with my arm. I stayed for the whole year in hospital although it was hard for me to accept that I had to start a new life with one hand. Before I was registered for the disability grant, I worked on the farms with my only hand because I had a burning desire to provide for my family,” he said while showing large scars on his legs, stomach and right shoulder as a result of the crocodile incident.

Ravhanga also rears goats and chickens which he sells to the community. He advises other disabled people to put their disabilities aside and work hard to build their communities.

“He who does not work hard never succeeds. I want prove to the whole world that the disabled are valuable and capable human beings who can also contribute in the development of the community.”

News - Date: 23 September 2005

Wilson Dzebu

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