South Africa: Limpopo Paraplegic Athlete Battles Public Transport to Reach Healthcare and Rehab
[Health-e] For 34-year-old paraplegic athlete Moloko Pula, getting to hospital for medical care means travelling from her rural village to Polokwane and relying on public transport that does not always accommodate her wheelchair.
Moloko Pula, a 34-year-old paraplegic athlete from Ga-Semenya village in Limpopo, has been battling transportation challenges to reach healthcare and rehabilitation facilities. After giving birth to her son, Keabetswe, in March 2020, Pula suffered a spinal injury during an emergency C-section, leaving her unable to walk. She now relies on public transport to travel over 300 kilometers from her village to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria for medical care, which costs her about R1,100 for a return trip and takes several hours.
Pula has previously received rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, at Tshwane Rehabilitation Hospital. However, her care has since been moved closer to home to Pietersburg Hospital in Polokwane. She also receives treatment for hyperthyroidism, which is separate from her disability-related healthcare needs.
Access to healthcare remains a significant challenge for Pula due to the lack of wheelchair-accessible transportation. Taxi drivers often refuse to accommodate her wheelchair, citing a lack of space. Despite these difficulties, Pula continues to participate in sports and modeling, even winning the 2025/26 Miss South Africa Disability contest and a silver medal at the 2026 National Javelin Throw Championships.
She emphasizes the need for improved accessibility in public transport, infrastructure, and sporting facilities for people with disabilities.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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