Qasha ’ s million rand smile
ANC staff, companies and readers respond to Sowetan s call
CHANGING FACE: Sinethemba Qasha flanked by Mmalethuko Vilakazi from Nero Hair Salon, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe from Motsepe Foundation, Sowetan editor Mpumelelo Mkhabela, Mande Toubkin from Netcare Foundation, Steve Mashalane from African Rainbow Minerals and Rudy Rashama of African Union Communications. Qasha was the toast of the occasion after receiving R1 million donation for his facial reconstruction at a Mandela Day event held in Soweto yesterday
MANDELA Magic played itself out in Soweto yesterday as several donors pledged about R1-million towards the costs of fixing Sinethemba Qasha’s face.
The Motsepe Foundation donated R700 000, while the ANC, African Union Communications and the Sandton-based Nero Hair Salon each gave R100 000.
Sowetan readers have also donated about R65 000. This formed part of yesterday’s Mandela Day celebrations. The donations were made at Thokoza Park in Soweto in the presence of Qasha.
ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said Luthuli House was touched after reading about Qasha’s plight in Sowetan.
“We went all out to mobilise companies and people to make a con- tribution to help change Qasha’s life for the better.
“I know Madiba will be proud, very proud,” Mthembu said.
Before handing over a cheque to Netcare Foundation, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe joked that he would help Qasha get a woman once doctors had finished working on his face.
Mantashe said staff at Luthuli House decided to help Qasha and that he personally had to go to an ATM to withdraw money.
“I thank Sowetan for highlighting Sinethemba’s plight. That’s the role of the media to expose such things,” Mantashe said.
Netcare Foundation gave Qasha his first reconstructive surgery for free last month. Its general manager, Mande Toubkin, said Qasha’s next appointment was next month.
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, from the Motsepe Foundation, said Qasha’s name was synonymous with what Mandela had brought to the world.
“Mandela brought hope where there was despair, and I want to focus on hope. Sinethemba is a beautiful person who was created in the image of God.
“The foundation is very humbled to join the dignitaries and fellow South Africans in taking upon ourselves to give Sinethemba his life back, literally,” she said.
Sowetan editor Mpumelelo Mkhabela said Qasha had never felt ashamed of himself.
“He is a young man with lots of confidence and giving him this operation, we will be building on the confidence he already has,” Mkhabela said.
Mmalethuko Vilakazi of Nero Hair Salon said the stories that Sowetan has been carrying about Qasha had touched her clients.
“Our clients are the ones who started the campaign to help Sinethemba. Some of them are from overseas, ” Vilakazi said.
Rudy Rashama of African Union Communications said they pledged because they wanted Qasha to lead a normal life.
“I look forward to seeing how Sinethemba will look after the oper- ations, ” Rashama said.
At the end, a happy Qasha exclaimed: “Viva ANC, Viva. Viva Mandela, Viva!”
Qasha has been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, which affects one in 3 000 people in the world.
His face started growing when he was four-months-old.