Mukundi Mashamba
| Born | 11 December 2007 |
| School | Laerskool Danie Malan |
| Lives in | Karen Park, Gauteng, South Africa |
Story
Mukundi was born with congenital complications – a total absence of the tibia on her right leg and a shortened tibia on the left, but this does not stop the active primary school learner from keeping up with her friends.
As a young married couple, the Mashamba’s found their first-born’s condition difficult to deal with.
They decided to be pro-active! After consulting various physicians, doing loads of research and meeting Jumping Kids’ Johan Snyders at the 2012 ACSA Disability Expo … understanding and acceptance set in.
On 13 August 2012 both Mukundi’s legs were amputated (one above-knee and one below) at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Pretoria. Two months later, she was fitted with her first set of advanced prostheses.
Described as fairly reserved before the amputation, she has obviously gained loads of self-confidence and is now described as active, keen to try EVERYTHING with no dull moments while in her company’.
“We thank God every day for the life of our beautiful girl Mukundi Mashamba”
Since becoming a Jumping Kid Mukundi has…
- represented Jumping Kids at the Celebrate Life #67minutes4JumpingKidsMandela Day event (2014)
- started her primary school education at a mainstream school catering for able-body learners and is making very good progress socially and academically (2014)
- has become everyone’s favourite grade one learner at Danie Malan School (2014)
- represented Jumping Kids at theStepUp500 Challenge in (2013) with para-athlete Tyrone Pillay
- represented the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund at the Ro3 Oasis Water4Good event (2012) with Paralympic double medallist Arnu Fourie and Springbok Morné Steyn
- participated in the Unite and Excite event in support of Paralympian Richard Whitehead and the Paralympic movement
- participated in a Trowing Clinic with Denmark’s three-time Paralympic champion Jackie Christiansen
Q&A
Best Jumping Kids moment/s
Our favourite Jumping Kids moment was when Mukundi was fitted with her first prosthetic legs. I will never forget that day; it brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Another favourite moment was the first time we took her to the mall, just two weeks after being fitted, she was so excited and running all over from one shop to another.
Future goal/s
We named her “Mukundi” - which means “Victor / Conqueror” – to always remind her that she should not allow her situation to discourage her from achieving her dreams.
She is destined for great things in life.
Message to children living with disabilities
The most important thing is to accept the situation, never give up on your child, and treat them with the respect they deserve - just like any normal child.
Parents must never look at their kids as disabled, for they are not! They simply have something special. Do not undermine them for they can do a lot better than us. They are special and unique.