Scores of people living with disability in ward 96 in Khayelitsha gathered at Christ Ambassador Life Centre in the area to celebrate Mandela Day on Tuesday 18 July.
The event was organised by the local South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). SANCO provincial convenor Chris Stali described the event as a platform for them to raise their concerns.
He said in most cases people living with disability are always left behind.
“In most cases when we call our community meetings they don’t come for various reasons because some of them can’t walk. Now we dedicate our 67 minutes of Mandela Day to them. We are here to listen to them what they really want us to do as their leaders,” said Stali.
He stated that it is not going to be a once-off campaign they will continue doing it in other areas. Executive member of the National Development Disability for Human Rights Forum (NDDHRF), Nozuko Khohli lambasted the government for doing little for them.
NDDHRF is an organisation that assists and supports people living with disability in whatever they need.
She said they feel as if they are marginalised in most sectors of the community.
“We don’t need special attention, but we must be recognised. We hear that there is a Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities but we do not see it here on the ground. Who are they representing? How are they going to assist or engage us if they are not coming to us,” asked Khohli.
She urged parents to stop keeping their disabled children indoors.