Zimele is Xhosa for independence. This word is central to what Zimele wants to give its clients. Assisting clients to live as independent a life as possible is the first of our three main objectives. No one ever chooses to become physically disabled. The choice is made for them for a variety of reasons. In that moment, the individual loses the power and agency over their body. A physical rehabilitation journey allows such an individual to take back that power and agency. To achieve this, it requires a team backing the person in that journey. We aim to provide that backing and support through an interdisciplinary team approach. At Zimele we approach a person’s rehabilitation journey holistically, which means a number of health professionals (such as a medical doctor, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a prosthetist and a psychologist) are involved to ensure all aspects of the individual’s life are considered. 

In doing this, we hope to instil a sense of self belief and a return of self-agency in that individual. With self belief, comes the awareness that such individuals are so much more than the disabled part of them and that they have many other very abled parts. This awareness creates the realisation of the potential of their abilities. Zimele’s other two objectives focus on the societal re integration of our clients and support and encourage the economic self-sufficiency of those whose rehabilitation journey we assist. Zimele will strive to achieve these objectives by playing an advocacy role and by encouraging intersectoral collaboration. Zimele will also assist and encourage our clients to understand and rely on relevant legislation and policies, to enhance their quality of life.