Miraculous recovery

Thomas Ferreira, the matric pupil who was critically injured after being knocked down by a VIP vehicle in November, seems to be making a miraculous recovery.

Ferreira, whom doctors at the time thought would suffer permanent brain damage and was in a coma until two weeks ago, uttered his first word - "Hello" - a  weeks ago.

In November, Ferreira made national news after Gauteng local government and housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's BMW X5 crashed into him, leaving him with serious brain damage and needing the help of a ventilator to breathe.

But the 18-year-old from Krugersdorp cut a far brighter figure yesterday and was joined by his girlfriend, 17-year-old Chanel Kloppers, and family members as they enjoyed a family picnic in the garden area of the Riverfield Lodge rehabilitation unit in Randburg, northern Johannesburg, where he has been since December 30.

Until just over a week ago, the Hoërskool Bastion pupil, who was unable to sit for his matric exams because of the accident, could only stomach mashed potato. But he had his parents chuckling yesterday as he ate two boerewors rolls and drank a glass of fruit juice. He even asked for nougat by pointing at a snack bowl and smiling.

Ferreira seemed responsive to questions and on occasion nodded his head in acknowledgement of a point.

"A couple of days ago he wouldn't even show emotion at all," said his father, Peter. "It's going to be a very long road still. Doctors say it's still early to tell [whether he will make a full recovery]. But we're looking at him returning home at the end of March."

Mmemezi's driver was hospitalised and later discharged. Mmemezi was immediately taken away from the scene by the VIP protection unit.

On November 8, Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane visited the family. She said Mmemezi's driver, Semitsi Modomai, had turned on the car's flashing blue light as he was on the way to an "urgent" and "emergency" engagement. She did not specify the engagement.

Mokonyane denied the driver was speeding.

Police confirmed in November that a case of reckless driving had been opened against Modomai.

Mokonyane had promised that the provincial government would foot the bill for Ferreira's medical costs, reportedly around R120000 a month.

Last week, department spokesman Mongezi Mnyani said he had "a fruitful discussion" with the family two weeks ago and that he would go back to them this week.

"We are now finalising some of the suggestions made at the meeting to ensure Thomas's recovery is realised.

"At this stage I am not at liberty to provide all the details of what was discussed. But I can confirm that we're looking at all possible solutions and options at our disposal," he said.

Johan Feirrera, Thomas's uncle, said the family was pleased with the meetings with government officials, adding that he was the first person his nephew had said "Hello" to since the accident.

Yesterday, Thomas's mother, Priscilla, helped her son stand up and take a few steps to his wheelchair and proudly watched him fiddle with one of his cousins' touch-screen cellphones.

She said his daily meetings with a social worker, a physiotherapist, and speech and occupational therapists had paid dividends.

"He's even developing a good appetite. He weighed 70kg before the accident, and fell to 49kg when he entered rehab. But he's steadily put on weight," she said.

She said Thomas was "technically inclined" and that he might have pursued a technical career had he been able to complete his matric.

Peter said that his son would "probably" write his matric exams next year, but this was a "best-case scenario".

Police recently confirmed that the docket on the Modomai investigation had been handed to a senior state prosecutor.

Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said: "It is up to the court to proceed with the case."

On Friday she said she had had no news on the matter.