Blindness won't bowl Lucky over

Bobbi Sands

A VISIT to a friend’s house turned into a nightmare for Walmer township resident Ziphilele “Lucky” Nonimba.
While trying to come to a friend’s aid during an altercation in 2005, Lucky – a name he prefers – was struck in the face with a brick which damaged his eye so severely it had to be removed.
“I was sitting outside the house when I noticed my friend having an argument with two men,” said 39-year-old Lucky.
“When I went over to help him they threw bricks in my face.
“I had already lost the sight in my left eye and this was the last blow to make me totally blind.”
But Lucky has since come to grips with his ordeal.
“The biggest thing was losing the ability to play soccer,” he says.
“I used to play for PE City in the Vodacom league.
“But since starting to play bowls I feel much better,” said the tall former striker.
Lucky joined the Disability Bowls team that plays every Sunday at Westview after meeting another player at church.
Although he has only been playing for four years he has played at national tournaments and this year lost out on the bronze medal on aggregate in Eden Park.
“The tournament this year went very well. I beat players this year that I lost to in the previous tournament and I feel I am getting better at the game.
“It is great to be playing sport again. I was always actively involved in sport and now I have the chance to play again.
“I am not just sitting at home feeling bad. Bowls makes sure your mind is active and that is important,” said Lucky.
Lucky’s bowls coach Yvonne Mackenzie said Lucky has potential and the fact he was able to see previously has helped with his game.
She has been coaching him since before the national tournament last year.

Lucky and his wife, Tenjiwe, who is partially sighted, get together at St John’s Anglican Church in Walmer on Mondays.
“We make all sorts of beadwork and we are working on some Christmas decorations now,” said Lucky.
He said it was very difficult for him to accept a life without sight but now that he has activities to keep him occupied he is quite happy.
“You have to learn to live with things and being blind is not the end.
“There are many things sighted people can do, but there are also many things blind people can do.
“We cannot sit back and just stay at home.”
Lucky said he had also been learning how to read braille but with lifts and other things hampering his progress he has had to put it on hold for a while.
He takes lessons at the Nkosinathi foundation and said the work they do is very important.
Lucky said if he could encourage any partially-sighted or blind person to do anything it would be to play sport.
“There are many blind people who take part in the Paralympics and they do well.
“Blind people get involved and have fun and exercise their bodies and their minds.”