Let’s get to the beach

The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), which represents the local PVC industry, donated an imported beach wheelchair, made from PVC pipes, to Cross Home Care based in Gansbaai, Western Cape. According to Delanie Bezuidenhout, CEO of SAVA, the US wheelchair is the first of its kind in South Africa.

It is made of medical grade PVC with non-corrosive plastic bearings and high flotation heavy-duty wheels that allow people with mobility impairments to access the water. It also allows for better mobility over unpaved areas.

“People with mobility impairments find it quite challenging to move around on the beach – never mind reaching the water. They are usually confined to the paved areas around the beach. This PVC beach wheelchair has the ability to take them all the way to the breakwater and makes it possible for them to spend a day on the beach with friends and family,” Bezuidenhout explains.

The balloon flotation tyres allow for stability and easy rolling. Because it is made with a high-quality UV protected PVC frame, it can even be taken right into the salty sea water. It won’t chip, peel, rust, fade or discolour and can carry a weight of 115 kg.

The wheelchair was handed over to Sister Tertia Scholtz, the owner of Cross Home Care, who runs various community projects and offers free emergency assistance to both residents of and visitors to the Pearly Beach Resort.

Commenting on what the donation will mean for the local community, Sister Scholtz said: “We have many community members who are wheelchair users. Thanks to this novel beach wheelchair, they will now be able to experience the joy of visiting the beach and the ocean.

“The use of the PVC beach wheelchair will be free of charge and we would like to invite anyone who is interested in using the beach wheelchair to contact me and book the PVC beach wheelchair for themselves or a loved one, for their next beach adventure.”

Bezuidenhout concludes: “PVC is extremely versatile and used for a wide range of everyday applications, ranging from water pipes to floors, shoes and medical equipment. PVC is safe to use and extremely durable. We hope that the PVC beach wheelchair will contribute to building many happy, new memories and experiences for people with mobility impairments!

“We would also be happy to assist local residents and organisations who might be interested in purchasing a similar beach wheelchair for their own use.”

For more information, visit www.savinyls.co.za.