Meet Nkosinathi the brave
Disabled man in rare show of determination to complete exams with his foot
APHYSICALLY challenged Durban man has shown what grit and determination can accomplish… by writing his final examination with his toes. Nkosinathi Duma, 28, completed the three-hour economic management science paper at the Hope Adult Education Centre in Wentworth on Wednesday.
Duma was born with his arms folded behind his back and cannot use them.
Instead, he balances on his hands on a piece of cloth, while seated on the floor.
When the examination invigilator placed the question paper before him, Duma gently flipped through the paper with his toes.
After a minute, he wrote his name and examination number on the top of the page before answering the questions.
Duma also uses a calculator with his toes. He walks without the aid of crutches.
He grew up in foster care until he found a home at Merewent Cheshire Home.
The Hope Adult Education Centre uses the Stella Hill Memorial Trust dining hall complex at the Merewent Cheshire Home to teach students.
They use a few old woodwork and dining room tables as desks even though the height of these desks makes it difficult for the students to reach.
For the exam, they used the Internship Fellowship school classroom, but Duma was unable to find a suitable chair and table, and sat on the floor.
The school’s principal, Mandisa Radebe, said the students wrote the Adult Basic Education and Training level-four examinations, which were equivalent to matric. She has 10 students in the level four class.
“Duma is intelligent and we are trying to build his self-esteem to do even better.
“His situation is very different to people, so he is shy. He has been with us for two years. He uses a computer efficiently.”
Duma, who talks very little, has already written the English, life orientation, maths literacy, and travel and tourism examination papers. He was given an additional 15 minutes to complete the exam.
“He has all the information but not enough time to write. If we had a computer and printer for pupils, it would make it easier. They can type the answers and we can print them all under the watchful eye of
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20
2015 invigilators,” she said.
If they pass, these students will join the national senior certificate for adults at the Technical Vocational Education Tech, for skills development, next year.
Radebe said the school needed desks that were “wheelchair and physically-challenged friendly”. They also needed computers and a printer. The school has five teachers who teach 10 students each on different levels for two hours a day.
“Adult centres never recognise disabilities, so there is a lack of equipment.
“There is a small chair and desk that could be provided to people with these challenges, but we cannot afford it. We also don’t have wheelchair ramps.
“We need more time with the learners. We appeal for donations from businesses or individuals,” Radebe said.
Nkanyezi Cele, the co-ordinator of the uMlazi district of the Department of Higher Education Training, said Duma did not sit back because of his disability – he was selfmotivated.
Sbongile Phakathi, the acting principal at a community college, said it was amazing that Duma had managed to train himself through self-motivation.
Phakathi was monitoring the exam on behalf of the education department.