Bulumko’s success story

We first met Bulumko in 2018 as a baby when he came with his mother Mobaxousi Magwegwe to the Tygerberg clubfoot clinic, a Steps Clubfoot Care support programme clinic partner. “I never expected that my son would have clubfoot when he was born,” Says Mobaxousi. “I had never heard of it. No one in my family had ever had clubfoot. I was so shocked. The nurse that helped me deliver my son told me I must take him to the Tygerberg clubfoot clinic. She said they would be able to help.” When Mobaxousi and Bulumko, who live in Delft, arrived for their first appointment at the clinic after a 45 minute trip, they met with Jane Mackinnon who is the Steps Clinic Coordinator at the weekly Tygerberg clubfoot clinic. Mobaxousi says, “As soon as I arrived I had hope, he was only one week old. Talking to Jane made me feel like I was supported. She gave me all the information about clubfoot and how my son would be treated. Everyone at the clinic told me that if I brought my son to his appointments everything would be okay. They gave me hope. It was not always easy for me. It was expensive coming every week for the first part of the treatment, but wasn’t for too long. It was helpful for me to speak to the other mothers I saw at the clinic, and I would see Jane from Steps every time so I could ask her questions or get advice.” Bulumko successfully completed his four year clubfoot treatment plan in 2022. He longer has to wear his clubfoot brace at night. Bulumko was very excited to show off his Steps graduation certificate to celebrate this important achievement and milestone. “My advice to parents is, do not panic. Keep coming to the clinic and you will see the difference every week. My son likes running and playing with his friends, no one believes me when I tell people what Bulumko’s feet were like when he was born. I am so excited that my son has normal feet and he can do everything – your child can too.”