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Article by Nomava Mpunga
In honouring people with disabilities during this year’s disability awareness month, the education department hosted a function for its employees, pupils and community members of Queenstown at its district offices, last week Wednesday.
According to Disability programmes manager, Yolisa Mle from Special Programs Unit, the theme for this year’s campaign is ‘keeping the promise: Mainstream disability in the millennium development goals towards 2010 and beyond’.
“This year persons with disabilities will be given a chance to voice their needs and concerns about the issue of many Departments not meeting the 2% target of workforce being persons with disabilities amongst other issues” explained Mle.
These departmental celebrations precede the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which will be held in Flagstaff on the 3rd December this year. In welcoming guests from the disability community Queenstown District Director Nkosinathi Godlo encouraged them to enjoy their ‘special day’. “We live in a very cruel world when it comes to people with disabilities.
Sisanda Rhalane who works for the South African Police Services and suffers from an albinism condition urged able people not to discriminate those who have disabilities as ‘they are also people’. “God never made a mistake by creating a person who has a disability, He had a purpose for such creation and people with disabilities must also stop feeling sorry for whom and what they are they should be proud and have a vision for their future”.
Encouraging pupils from two surrounding schools Khayalethemba Special Care Centre and Nonesi Public School, another disability champion Vivian Buku talked about her experience growing up as a child with a disability.
“I hope my story will give you (pupils) strength to deal with people calling you names because of your disabilities. Do not pity yourself and feel that you are nothing, know that you are here on earth because there is a reason for you to be here and prosper in everything you do not just because you want to prove able people wrong but because you have the potential to do so”, said Buku.
Buku also urged parents who have children with disabilities not to be overprotective of them. “Parents have a tendency of overprotecting these kids, please let them fend for themselves as they will learn to stand on their own against discrimination and hardships of having a disability” concluded Buku.
FYI: From the 3rd November – 3rd December is a Disability Awareness Month in South Africa.
The celebrations for International Day for Persons with Disabilities will be held in Flagstaff on the 3rd December.
Article Tags: disability month
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