Young man gets gift of sight after nearly a decade of darkness
Image: Alaister Russell
Philani Twala peers out of the window and looks for a Mercedes-Benz.
"Now I can see the dream car I want to own," he says.
In the past year, 21-year-old Twala has spent a few minutes behind the wheel as his brothers show him how to drive. He's also been watching car movies.
Twala regained his eyesight 18 months ago after being almost blind for a decade. Watching fast cars brings him joy, he says.
Ster Kinekor, and movie ticket buyers who donate to Vision Mission, paid for him to receive a double cornea transplant last year.
The Organ Donor Foundation said there are about 1,500 people waiting for a cornea transplant. Last year only 151 were done, due to a lack of organ donors.
Twala's sight degenerated from the age of eight, leaving him unable to watch TV or read.
His mother, Beatrice, spoke of her frustration, watching her son walk into things and hurt himself. Her face is now radiant as she watches him walk unassisted .