Parents urged to love disabled children

DUNDONALD – “Nothing about us without us.”
This statement proved true during an imbizo hosted by the Department of Social Development on Saturday, April 11 in Dundonald.

During the visit, deputy minister Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, together with MEC Ms Nomsa Mtshweni, visited a disability centre where they donated wheelchairs and blankets to the children.

The deputy minister also heard that the babysitters of the centre had problems with parents who didn’t want to pay for the services, which she strongly condemned.

“We encourage parents to take their disabled children to disability centres. We don’t want them locked inside the houses, and they are not animals. We have allocated money in the form of grants to ensure that no parent give excuses for not taking the children to centres.

However, I strongly condemn the act of not paying the money to the centres for the children’s benefit. The money is for the children. If it’s not used for them, we might as well stop giving it out,” said the exasperated Zulu.

During the dialogue with the community, gratitude was expressed to the 104 schools that are now disability friendly in the province.
“We really appreciate that education is prioritised, however, we would like even more schools to be accommodating, so we can also be encouraged to get education and not feel isolated because of our disability,” said one community member.

Employment was also a prominent discussion during the imbizo. The community complained that they were not well-represented, if at all, during employment interviews. The assertive Zulu responded to the cries of the community and ensured them that she would engage with the relevant departments to rectify the matter.

“I have heard all the concerns raised here, it’s sad how some of the things are basic, yet we are still battling with them.

The issue of RDP houses shouldn’t be an issue today. One should assess the situation of the applicant, and then build a house suitable for them, and not the other way around. Houses should be built for the people, not people allocated to houses not fit for them.

Buscor has introduced buses that are friendly to people living with disabilities, we commend that. However, we will also push that other companies get on board and more of these busses are put on the road so that people do not have to be lifted into the busses,” said Zulu.

According to Zulu, albinos will also receive free sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses from their local clinics.

“We give wheelchairs to people who can’t walk, we give all sorts of aids for free, albinos should also feel taken care of, and this is our way of ensuring that.”

The visually-impaired deputy minister expressed her sentiments to the house and encouraged mothers to love and support their children.
“Had my mother locked me into the house and not supported me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Love your children and support them, send them to school and push them in the right direction,” she said.