Ernest Majenge
Nominee's Province:
Free State
Age:
33
Project Name/Description:
Love is what fuels the innovation and determination of the Wheelchair Doctor, Ernest Majenge. The 33-year-old Free State-born innovator and inventor has been bringing smiles to the faces of wheelchair users for years through his company, Wheelchair Doctor. Ernest does not use a wheelchair, but says he was moved by the plight of differently-abled individuals in townships who struggled with accessibility and access to affordable wheelchair repairs and mobility solutions. “Witnessing these challenges inspired me to establish Wheelchair Doctor, a company dedicated to improving mobility, dignity, and independence for people with reduced mobility through innovative products and accessible services,” he says. This year, Ernest was the first runner-up in the MTN Small Business Awards. He says the commendation is an important milestone in his journey. “It provided a platform that amplified my story and the work we do at Wheelchair Doctor. Through the exposure and recognition, MTN helped shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the innovative solutions we are developing to address them.” Ernest says wheelchair users had a range of issues, including not having access to repair services; the turnaround time for repairs was often as long as two weeks; the repairs were expensive; and wheelchair users had limited access in buildings with stairs. Trying to make life easier for these individuals became the inspiration for establishing the Wheelchair Doctor. Even though he trained as an accountant and auditor, Ernest has now tossed away his calculator and has permanently picked up a drill instead. Together with an engineering team, he developed a patented stair-climbing wheelchair solution, which can assist a wheelchair user up and down stairs. The Ruby Wheelchair is a highly durable option, which can tackle sandy and gravel-strewn township roads with ease. The invention and his passion for his work have sparked international interest, and he has exhibited it internationally.
