DURBAN resident Saffura Khan is a true testament to the phrase, ‘Disability doesn’t mean inability’. The now 76-year-old was born totally blind and has never let her disability get in the way of conquering her goals and touching the lives of others.
Khan is the founder of the non-profit organisation, the Phoenix Light Group for the Physically Challenged, which she founded in 2002. Her organisation arranges and hosts monthly physical, social, and recreational programmes and activities for persons living with disabilities in Durban and the surrounding areas. Khan is also the head of human development at the South African National Zakáh Fund (SANZAF), which has been a steadfast source of hope for individuals facing adversity since its establishment in 1974.
Khan has headed several skills training and community development initiatives through both above mentioned organisations and has helped hundreds of physically challenged people find hope, motivation, and purpose.
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On Saturday, Khan achieved one of her childhood dreams when her book, A Mosaic of Memories: The Biography of Saffura Khan, was launched at the Al Ansaar Conference Centre in Overport. The centre was filled with her friends, family, and people whose lives she’s touched – all present to celebrate Khan’s exciting achievement.
Khan says the book was written by a dear friend of hers and a highly respected author, Dr Shivar, an author of nine published books. “I gave Shivar all the information, he did the research, we spoke and had long conversations, and it took us about a year to finish. I encourage people to read this book for the motivation and inspiration aspect,” said Khan.
Khan encouraged people looking for an inspirational story to purchase her book. “I don’t label my blindness as a disability. Rather, I refer to it as a limitation, and even with my limitation, I have achieved so much, so readers should be encouraged to try and chase what they want. Go after your dreams, fulfil your goals, don’t wait and sit by because there are so many things that are possible if you just try.”
A champion for the disabled
Many of Saffura’s loved ones spoke at the event to congratulate her. “Saffura was part of establishing and forming the Blind Navigators Rally. Back then, she was young – a lovely young lady – but she was out there telling the whole world, ‘There is this keg of dynamite that I am’, and she was waiting to challenge the perceptions that were held about blind people. Despite her challenges, she went out and did what she needed to do, and very importantly, she attained her qualification in journalism while she was working and while she was a mother to two young boys. Since then, she has made her mark in the skills training and community development sectors, among many other things. She created a name for herself through training and helping others,” said her dear friend, Julie Bhayat.
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Shivar shared some insight on the day as to how A Mosaic of Memories came about. “Saffura has always had this heartfelt desire to publish a book. In her teen years, she even had a title for her book, and because of her inspirational story, I decided to help her make her dreams come true. I had several conversations with Saffura via Zoom because I’m in Pretoria and she’s in Durban, and then we did meet, but I [also] did a lot of fact-checking with people in her life,” said Shivar.
“When I asked her what title she wants, she told me, ‘You decide.’ Having written nine books, I know how fun it is to come up with a title. I thought that seeing Safurra has so many memories like each coloured tile that comes together in a mosaic, so does Saffura’s life with its myriad moments, challenges, trials and triumphs. It all comes together to form that rich tapestry of her life,” Shivar explained. “After a lot of work and collaboration, we thought of the perfect title – A Mosaic of Memories,” recollected Shivar.
For more information and to order a copy of A Mosaic of Memories, email Saffura.khan59@gmail.com or WhatsApp 072 417 4422.
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