Inspired township woman invents commode chair to help disabled
Khanyisa Nyeka, an innovative woman from Ezibeleni township in Komani, has invented a commode chair to help disabled or sick people to get to the loo.
Nyeka said the idea came about after seeing people struggling to take care of their loved ones and hospital staff having to change patients’ nappies.
“An idea came to my mind on how I can help the people who are working hard to take care of their families, and the nurses who have to stop what they are doing and attend to a patient who needs to go to the toilet,” she said.
She is busy trying to get her business running.
“In 2012, I came up with this idea. I tried to get people to buy into it, but it was a challenge. In 2017, with the help of the Chris Hani district municipality which took me to an inventors’ course in Nelson Mandela University, I managed to sell the idea and build my first commode and sell it to local shops,” said Nyeka.
She said after the course she could make drawings of her ideas and build her products.
“I also came up with a water recycling container which collects water from the shower and kitchen, cleans it and then is reused,” said Nyeka.
She wants to open her own business and create jobs for the community of Ezibeleni and surrounding areas.
“The commode will help improve services at public hospitals and people can be able to use the commode in their homes,” Nyeka said.
“The commode will replace the bins used in hospitals, which take time, and patients need assistance to relieve themselves.
“This will also be good for rural areas where the toilets are outside and you have people suffering from strokes and other illnesses. I have already made arrangements with local businesses to have my products sold at their shops.”
She said she was working from home, and plans to start a factory.