MALALANE – As part of the national call for people to enjoy free access to all parks in the country, South African National Parks (SANParks) invited about 60 visually impaired people from the Bohlabela and Ehlanzeni districts to spend last Thursday in the Kruger National Park as part of SANParks Week.
The week is a way of encouraging people to visit parks. According to Mr Nhlanhla Themba, marketing manager of SANParks, by giving people free access, they want to increase the number of visitors, especially in black communities.
“We saw it as important to bring the visually impaired. We want to let them know that they can visit the park,” he said.
Even though they could not see any animals, with the help of those who could, they were able to imagine them.
They described to one another the animals spotted. They learnt about the different kinds of rhino and were able to touch and feel rhino crafts.
They also did the Braille trail around the camp specially intended for people living with this disability.
Ms Rhulani Ndubane (29) of Bushbuck-ridge, who was one of the visitors and is currently studying Braille, said she would be very happy if she could get a job at the park and also teach people about animals. “I am always stuck at home, and today I am happy to be here. I have learnt a lot through touching, visioning and smell,” she said.
She also added that if given an opportunity to be one of the rangers, she would take it. “Having the blind is a way of conveying a message that everyone is welcome, because there are facilities which cater for them,” said Mr Solly Themba, a senior community facilitator.
He added that when they spoke about things in the KNP, they wanted the blind to also understand what exactly they were talking about and what to expect from the wild environment.
SANParks has encouraged everyone to visit parks in the country and experience the beauty of our country.
