Sibongile Mongadi is helping amputees walk again. [Picture: News24]
Sibongile Mongadi is the founder of Uku’hamba Prosthetics and Orthotics (Pty) Ltd. Hailing from the township of Soweto, Johannesburg, her aim is to help amputees walk again, as soon as possible.
South Africa’s crippled healthcare system means many amputees must wait years on end before they’re able to receive prosthetic limbs. But she is trying to change that, in whatever way she can, with her company’s revolutionary manufacturing process.
Her company, which employs five people and has plans to expand in the near future, produces lightweight and cost-effective prosthetic limbs for people from underprivileged backgrounds.
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Childhood
During her childhood, Sibongile Mongadi excelled at mathematics and science in school. This was despite the difficult circumstances under which she grew up.
“From Grade 1, until matric, I did maths and science at school so I’ve always wanted to see myself in the medical space. However, due to financial constraints I couldn’t further my studies,” she said, in an exclusive profile interview with Salaamedia’s sister media outlet SM Digital.
One of eight siblings, things were difficult on the family after Mongadi’s parents died. Her elder siblings, who now headed the household, were unable to pay for her tertiary education.
“They were self-employed and with no formal education so it was hard for them to actually further my studies. I was offered a bursary to further my studies in the Information and Technology (IT) space, but I did not grab that opportunity because for some reason the bursary did not cover everything.”
None of this could stop her from achieving her dream of working in the medical space. After highschool, Mongadi found a job in the retail space. During that time, she worked and studied part-time to be able to pay for her studies.Now, she’s changing lives.
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Opportunity
Things changed when Sibongile Mongadile left the retail space in 2018. She visited a nearby hospital, where she witnessed amputees struggling to get on with their lives. Due to a shortage of skills and resources, the hospital was unable to meet the demand for prosthetic limbs.
That’s when Mongadi saw an opportunity to make a difference. She asked the officials to show her the manufacturing process. They agreed. Sibongile Mongadi noticed the lengthy process was contributing to the growing backlog of patients needing prosthetic limbs.
“From that traditional manufacturing process, I saw that there must be a better way to solve this. I started doing more research in the space [and] that’s how we came about using this advanced technology, trying to [quicken] the turnaround time.
After doing extensive research, Mongadi identified the effective use of 3D printing technology to produce affordable prosthetic limbs with environmentally-friendly products. The revolutionary method unlocked a quicker turnaround time.
“Instead of our people waiting five years or more, at least it can be a month or so. What sets us apart is that we understand it’s best when we involve the user. We cater according to their requirements.”
Sibongile Mongadi said her company also has a creative aspect. They use the power of colour psychology to empower amputees. She said it brings her a sense of satisfaction to see amputees return to normal activities after much difficulty.
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