Providing prosthetic manufacturing for adult amputees from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

About us



Zimele is a registered non-profit company (K2020173723) with public benefit organization (PBO) status (9159165258) and NPO status (245-021 NPO). Zimele (independence in Xhosa) was founded in 2020 by Dr Sarah Whitehead; a medical doctor with a PhD in health sciences education, Jayson Chin; an orthotist and prosthetist and Rodney Lakay; a businessman and bilateral amputee.



Zimele’s interdisciplinary team of health professionals will provide prosthetic fitting and physical and psychological rehabilitation services for amputees from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds and will aid in their societal integration through access to skills training and work opportunities – we aim to meet the SDG Good health and well-being by increasing accessibility to prosthetic rehabilitation.



An important part of Zimele is helping our beneficiaries find employment, thus adding to improving their quality of life. This is likely to involve disability education and engagement with corporates around employment equity and disability rights.



Zimele supports amputees in becoming self- sufficient members of society through comprehensive rehabilitation services, and we advocate for policy change to ensure that these services are available to all. Zimele’s interdisciplinary team of health professionals provide prosthetic fitting and physical and psychological rehabilitation services for amputees from disadvantaged socioeconomic

backgrounds, and we aid in their societal integration through access to skills training and work opportunities.



Our Model



We approach a person’s rehabilitation holistically, designing a roadmap according to each amputee’s individual needs and goals. Our interdisciplinary team includes a medical doctor, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a prosthetist, and a psychologist, each working with the patient to ensure that all aspects of the individual’s life are considered.



We also support our clients in their reintegration into the workforce, encouraging economic self-sufficiency. Zimele will assist and encourage our clients to understand relevant legislation and policies so that they can be advocates for themselves and for others with disabilities, enhancing their quality of life.



Past and future activities



To date we have successfully put 13 amputees - 2 are bilateral amputees therefore we have made 15 legs - through our program. In the future we want increase the amount of people we help each year.   





Zimele NPC

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