Casual Day theme announced in Ekurhuleni

Beneficiaries and supporters of Casual Day recently attended a thank you and impact event hosted by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities in South Africa where the theme for Casual Day 2022 was revealed.

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At the event, held on June 3, guests were given an overview of the previous two year’s campaigns, addressed by the council’s national director and were treated to live entertainment by Casual Day ambassador Jonathan Groenewald.

This year’s theme for Casual Day, to be held on September 2, is #ICelebrateSA!

This year, the NCPD not only hopes to create awareness around the plight those with disabilities, but also encourages South Africans to speak about everything going right in SA.

Through the campaign, the council hopes those who participate to highlight the good and great in their lives.

Giving a recap of the 2020 campaign finance manager for Casual Day, Egnes Ncube, said the theme for that year was side by side.

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2020 was also the first year that R20 was charged per causal day sticker.

“In 2020 we did well however. it was not like previous years where we recorded millions and millions.”

Although the campaign had a target of R35m, only R6.7m was raised.

Egnes said R1.7m was raised by the NPOs and the special needs schools.

“We want to say thank you because that was through all your tireless support,” said Egnes.

“Being a Covid year when people were working from home and some organisations shut down, we want to thank you for the funds raised.”

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The 2021 campaign themed Courage and Kindness encouraged NPOs and beneficiaries to come out despite the ongoing pandemic.

“With your help and tireless support, we managed to raise a gross donation of R10.5m which was more than a 50% increase”

Similar to 2020, the NPOs and special needs schools raised R3.5m for the 2021 campaign.

The national director of the NCPD Therina Wentzel-du Toit thanked everyone for working in and supporting the disability sector for their continued effort.

“All of us are in this together, it is a difficult time,” highlighted Therina.

“We as an organisation have lost a lot of donors and sponsors – some of them closed down while others have to look after their people.”

Conceptualised in 1994, Therina said the leadership of NCPD at the time formed the project to assist the disability sector to help realise the new legislation in the country.

“The preamble of the constitution says we are united in our diversity. That this is what we are putting out there as a national body – a project for everybody.”

Besides encouraging organisations to continue to raise funds, Therina thanked those who support the NCPD’s other projects and services.

Currently, the council is advocating to get more disabled children and learners access to schools.

“There are more than 500 000 children with disabilities who are not in school,” said Therina.

“There are more children with disabilities outside the school system than there are in the formal school system.”

Therina said the council is working with several organisations and national bodies on a class action to put the case forward.

“It’s making good progress, we hope we are going to win it and have a way to get children with disabilities into schools.”

Other projects the NCPD is working on include economic empowerment projects, job placement and job readiness programmes for persons with disabilities.Therina said although Covid-19 has brought challenges there are numerous reasons to celebrate, referring to the theme of Casual Day.

“If we look at what is happening in our country and everything we hear, which is negative, we decide to look away from that.

“We asked what we could celebrate and that’s how the theme was chosen.”

Therina said South Africans have reason to celebrate, highlighting that there is positivity in the country.

“If we in the disability sector can celebrate, we can get the whole of South Africa to rally behind us.”

Therina encouraged the community to support this year’s Casual Day campaign.

“The beauty of Causal Day is that everyone gets something out of it. The project not only raises funds but also creates employment.”

“It is a very empowering project and at the council, there are a variety of divisions which the community can assist.”

Email dylan@ncpd.org.za for more information.

Alternatively, visit www.casualday.co.za or www.ncpd.org.za for more information.

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