| | Light in the darkness 
Behki Sibiya works skillfully on a cane basket, while Sizakele
Ntshangase puts the last touches on the almost complete product in the background
Lesley Stephenson
PAUL of Damascus was struck blind by God for five days and given a vision for the salvation of souls.
Behki Sibiya was struck blind at the tender age of 28 and now he has a vision to help people like himself to rise above their circumstances.
But unlike Paul, Sibiya remains totally blind, despite multiple operations, since he was diagnosed with bilateral detachment of the retina in 1993.
A qualified male nurse working at Ngwelezana Hospital, Sibiya had everything going for him until the unexpected happened.
Trapped in a world of darkness, Sibiya was suddenly unable to do anything for himself or go anywhere and for five years he was confined to his home.
Today he still finds it difficult to speak about the effect becoming blind had on him.
'It was not an easy thing. You can even get lost in your own house if you get disoriented.
'I once tried to hang myself, but when the rope fell that was when I decided no, I'm going to live. Now I am determined to help others like myself.'
With new purpose Sibiya persevered on the uphill road to changing his circumstances.
One of the milestones of that walk has been completing a course in switchboard operations and basic computer training.
Now he works as a switchboard operator at Ngwelezana Hospital.
VIP Cane Dealers
In 2003 he formed a support group to unite local blind and partially blind people.
uMhlathuze Visually Impaired People (VIP) Cane Dealers was the result.
'Through this business we are training the blind in cane weaving and next year we are planning to start making cane furniture.
'Marketing and all that comes with a business are challenging, but thanks to Exxaro's support we will become a success,' said Sibiya.
'Exxaro is financing the business for the next two to three years until it is fully sustainable,' said Manager for Sustainable Development for Exxaro KZN Sands, Annalien Fouché.
The business wants to train up more people and hold workshops in cane weaving and orientation and mobility at Zikulise Crafts Centre in Empangeni.
Any visually impaired people who are interested can contact Sibiya on 072 4828900 for more information.
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