As the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities yet again, the general feeling amongst persons with disabilities is that much still needs to improve their standard of living.
This same sentiment was shared by Tebello Association for the Blind during an event organized by Fezile Dabi District Municipality in Kwakwatsi, Koppies, to celebrate and observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The International Day of Persons With Disabilities is observed annually on the 3rd December to promote full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for the inclusive of persons with disabilities in all aspects of the society and development.
This year the day was observed under the theme ‘Building Back together towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable Covid-19 world’.
Chairperson of Tebello Association for the Blind, Tebello Manoto, whose association was part of the event said they are grateful of being recognised as people living with disability but believe more could and should be done.
“We face challenges daily and not only on this day or week, we need assistance that is sustainable that can maintain us throughout the year and with one day events like these our situations will never change, we would like to thank Fezile Dabi Executive Mayor for thinking about us” said Manoto.
Speaking at the event Fezile Dabi Executive Mayor, Moeketsi Moshodi, said this is a yearly event hosted by the district municipality to honour and appreciated people who live with disabilities.
“The time is now for people with disabilities to take a stand against Social ills and being mistreated by people because of your disability, NO NO NO we definitely cannot allow that to happen, you need to stand up and fight for your rights.
“Those days of people not being chosen for key positions because of their disabilities are long gone. People need to know that you are a human being just like the rest of us, in fact you are far better than all of us you get given inferior positions like answering phone calls – who said a person of your nature can’t build houses,” said Moshodi.
The Executive Mayor said out of all the children being given bursaries by Fezile Dabi District Municipality not a single child has any form of disability and that narrative should change.
In closing the Executive Mayor thanked you all for being there in celebrating most important guests.
