Publications
Partners
Following a severe injury to his neck at a rugby tournament in September 2023, which saw him being hospitalised for four months, Anzil Williams (16) from Humansdorp, is thrilled to start his school journey again at Global Leadership Academy in Jeffreys Bay.
As previously reported by Kouga Express, Williams experienced a significant injury while representing Humansdorp Senior Secondary School in a sevens rugby tournament in Knysna in September.
After almost four months at Aurora Special Care Centre in Gqeberha, receiving physical rehabilitation, he finally returned home in January.
The spokesperson for the Williams family, Shahida Japtha, said Williams, who is set to celebrate his 17th birthday on April 12, has remained in good spirits and has gradually been improving each day.
“Anzil is doing great, and he is happy to be home,” said Japtha.
She said that thankfully, through the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund who have been assisting with some of Williams’ medical expenses since his injury in September, they were fortunate enough to find a physiotherapist in Humansdorp, whom they see weekly.
In addition to the assistance received through his weekly physiotherapy sessions, Japtha said that Williams has also been doing regular exercise at home to remain active.
Despite initially planning to home school Williams, she said that after their engagement sessions with the Department of Education and the principal of GLA, Stefan Kleyn, they saw it fit for him to attend in person, learning at GLA where he can interact with other learners.
“We planned to have Anzil home-schooled, but now that he is out of hospital and things look brighter, we decided to send him to a new school. With him going to school every day he also has some sort of normality, as he now has a routine that he follows,” said Japtha.
Even though Williams passed Grade 11 last year with “flying colours”, since he does not have function in his hands yet, she said that they wanted him to adjust to the new digital schooling method offered at GLA which would allow him to make use of a laptop.
As a result of his new learning environment, Japtha said the Department of Education and Kleyn suggested he start with Grade 10, which his family agreed to.
“Anzil was very excited to be in Grade 12, but we were not sure if he would be able to cope with being in Grade 12 in his new learning environment. By starting with Grade 10 he will also be better prepared for Grade 12,” said Japtha.
“Anzil is content with the decision, and he understands that this is not a full breath race; instead he takes it one day at a time.”
Since Williams is at a new school that is far from home, Japtha said they needed a lift club or contract transportation, to transport both him and his carer to and from school each day.
She further said that since they do not have a vehicle at home, they are also hoping to receive donations to assist the Williams family to purchase a wheelchair-friendly vehicle soon.
Japtha said,
Kleyn said the school was initially built with disabled-friendly facilities to enable all disabled individuals, including visitors, to have access to the school.
As a result, he said that when Williams and other wheelchair users joined the school, they had the necessary facilities to accommodate them.
Kleyn said that when Williams first visited the school, he was impressed by how motivated he was to get back to school.
“Despite the challenges Anzil faced, he is determined to work towards obtaining his matric certificate,” said Kleyn.
He further said that Williams was an inspiration to the learners at the school, and since the teachers were familiar with his story, they were eager to welcome him to the school.
For more information contact Shahida Japtha on 083 707 3974 or email nsjapha06@gmail.com.
