A Desperate Plea for Assistance Results in a R96 000 Donation of Orthopedic Equipment on Lower South Coast
For Immediate Release:
19 October 2022
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Growing demand for orthopedic equipment in Port Shepstone and its environs and the need to
expand service delivery had put an incredible strain on the lower south coast town’s branch of the
Association for the Physically Challenged (APC), until the South African Muslim Charitable Trust
(SAMCT) lent its assistance with a R96 000 equipment donation.
Founded in Port Shepstone in 1968, the APC sets out to improve the quality of life of people living
with physical disabilities, achieved by facilitating support, providing services and projects designed to
foster rehabilitation, self-reliance, self-esteem and integration of the disabled into society.
The organisation also helps those it serves to obtain disability grants and apply for pensions, as well
as providing meals to the needy. In addition, it hires out orthopedic equipment, inclusive of
wheelchairs, crutches, commodes, bath swivel seats, walking frames and the like on both a short-
term or long-term basis at nominal rates.
Speaking at a recent event to mark the official handover of the new orthopedic equipment, SAMCT
representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said: “The years of restrictions associated with the COVID-19
pandemic has taken its toll on the physically challenged. They, together with the dedicated APC
members of staff have seen off such adversity magnificently. However, those difficult years have
seen a tremendous increase in the equipment needs of increasing numbers of physically challenged
people located in the remote, rural regions of the lower south coast.”
“As a consequence, the APC found it a battling to keep up with required orthopedic equipment
supply; a battle that it was sadly losing and which led to the SAMCT lending a helping hand with new
equipment, valued at some R96 000.”
The APC outreach programme currently covers 22 local areas, including Port Shepstone, Qinabout,
Gamalakhe, Paddock, Izinqoleni, Assisi, Mzumbe, Morrison, Baphumile, Murchison, Bhoboyi,
Hibberdene and Margate and even Port Edward. The programme has ensured many hundreds of
client visits to homes, hospitals and clinics, either in the organisation’s offices or in outreach areas
three days a week.
“We, of the SAMCT, were pleased to have been in the position to answer the APC’s desperate plea
for funds for additional new orthopedic equipment. In the face of the tremendous increase in the
need for such equipment, out donation will now enable the APC to better meet the high volume of
persons requiring assistance,”Mr Osman added.
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al
Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds.
The SAMCT provides funding, services and other resources for the improvement of the lives of the
vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has been singularly successful in delivering sizeable
assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work
to support needy organisations in the fields of social development, poverty alleviation, education
and healthcare.
“The APC and its dedicated staff in Port Shepstone have long enjoyed a sound reputation for
providing an excellent service to the physically challenged in its operational area. Maintaining its
ability to continue assisting those in need of its services is critical, but was under threat due to
orthopedic equipment shortages. Pleasingly, our intervention in this regard has assisted in
safeguarding the organisation’s ability to continue its critical community work now and into the
future.”
ends
For more information about SAMCT or its Association for the Physically Challenged (Port Shepstone) donation of orthopedic equipment, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za