Disabled teacher bears testimony from her bed
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MADADENI, South Africa — Beatrice Vilakazi is a popular seminary teacher in Madadeni Township, South Africa. But she is no ordinary seminary teacher. She is paralyzed from the neck down as a result of an illness that occurred 18 years ago.
Sister Vilakazi, mother of eight grown children and a member of the Madadeni 1st Branch in the South Africa Durban Mission, teaches from her bed as her students gather around for an hour after school. Eleven years of teaching seminary has allowed her to teach more than 50 students at her bedside, helping them to learn the gospel and complete seminary requirements. Her sweet testimony keeps them coming back.
"Although I am physically disabled, the Lord has blessed me with eyes to read, a mind to think, and a mouth to proclaim the gospel," Sister Vilakazi said. "These are the only things I can use to serve others. I know the Lord has not excluded me from all blessings promised to those who serve Him and keep His commandments."
Her eyes, smile and voice beam a beautiful testimony to her students, branch members, and many non-LDS friends who stop to visit. Raised in a traditional Zulu family home in Estcourt, Kwa-Zulu, Natal Province, South Africa, she came in contact with the restored gospel after her paralysis when introduced to the missionaries by her son. In 1991 Sister Vilakazi was taught and baptized; it took four priesthood brethren supporting her and then immersing her in the water during baptism.
Life is not easy for Sister Vilakazi. Her children, family and friends attend to her needs and take her where she needs to go. Faithful friends provide transportation to Church meetings in the Madadeni Branch chapel where at least two brethren lift her rigid body from the car into her modified wheelchair. In this way, Sister Vilakazi faithfully attends her Sunday meetings and Church Educational System in-service training. Every other month she rides for seven hours in a passenger van to attend sessions at the Johannesburg, South Africa Temple.
Sister Vilakazi is a wonderful example of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Fast and testimony meetings in Madadeni are made sweeter as she bears witness of the Savior, the Book of Mormon and the Restoration.
But now Sister Vilakazi may have to take some time off from teaching seminary. She recently accepted a call as Relief Society president watching over 93 sisters in the Madadeni 1st Branch.
