"PARALYSED AT THE RIGHT TIME"

By MUSA E. ZULU 

On 27 April 2026, South Africa will mark 32 years of democracy—just days after I celebrate 31 years in my wheelchair following a car accident on 20 April 1995. My paralysis came only a week before the country’s first year of freedom from apartheid.

Musa E. Zulu, the E stands for Elvis.

I was paralyzed 14 years after 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons. That same year, Friday Mavuso founded Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA), sparking a revolution in black townships where disabled people began organizing to voice their needs and aspirations. Mavuso passed away in June 1995, just two months after my accident, leaving a baton for a new generation to carry.

Finding Purpose in Adversity

At 23, adjusting to paralysis was daunting. Yet I could not ignore the thought that I had been paralyzed at a pivotal time. With Mavuso gone, someone had to step forward in the new democratic dispensation. Disability, though tragic, gave me the privilege to paint my own colours on South Africa’s fresh canvas of change. Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s vision of a “Rainbow Nation” resonated deeply, symbolising unity across cultures and races, and I felt disability could be part of that diversity.

Ongoing Progress

In three decades, persons with disabilities have achieved much. Government, private sector, and civil society have collaborated on socio-economic empowerment initiatives. I have witnessed recognition of disability leaders nationally and internationally, and the emergence of a new type of disabled person—confident, creative, and integral to the nation’s growth.

It is my honour that The Quest affords me this “THISABILITY Corner” to reflect on our journey. Truly, I was paralysed at the right time—when new ideas, identities, and movements were ready to flourish. Much has been achieved, and much more will unfold as new pioneers rise. TQ

Zulu is published author, artist, and motivational speaker who continues to serve as the Creative Director at Valhalla Arts, which he founded.