A disabled young man has heeded the government’s call of community building, by providing 25 jobs for formerly unemployed community members in Vhembe.

Chillboy Rathando, who was born with a deformed left leg, suffered more psychological pain when his peers laughed at him because he could not walk properly. Efforts to repair his leg through countless operations remained fruitless. As a result, he was called different degrading names, which include Tshihole, Mmbengwa and Malabi, which suggest that he is a useless outcast.

Despite all odds, Chillboy refused to be relegated to the lowest class and stood up to prove his critics wrong. "I could not only rely on the government’s disability grant but I told myself that I wanted to be an ambassador for the disabled. I wanted to show everyone that even disabled people can make a positive economic contribution and make a change in the communities in which they stay. The government of the day has given us enough opportunities to compete in the job industry. The disabled must stop looking down upon themselves and wake up to build their future," said Chillboy, who stays at Mauluma Village in the Nzhelele area.

Chillboy said his life changed some years ago when he started Rathando Cleaning and Toilet Services. "Some people laughed at me because they thought I was doing a job for the uneducated. I drained pit toilets and the demand grew in such a way that I had to employ more people. I then added pest control to my business and since then, I have never looked back. As a result, 25 people no longer go to bed on empty stomachs."

With the little money he saved, Chillboy managed to buy a bakkie which helps him and his employees to travel. He had also saved enough to buy a pit toilet draining machine for R18 000. "Nothing is expensive if you need it. The most important thing is to know what you are doing." Chillboy advises other disabled people to stand up and work hard. "Hard work breeds success but laziness will make you suffer until you die. We were all created by God and there is no use to look down upon yourselves."

Disabled community members who would like to start their own businesses can contact Chillboy at 072 320 0523.