The water utility, Silulumanzi, donated 25 wheelchairs to people living with disabilities as part of the global celebrations of Madiba Day on July 19.
Silulumanzi did an official handover at Matsulu Community Hall, and donated over 16 wheelchairs to the Association of Persons with Disabilities (APD) of Mpumalanga.
The association helped it to identify people who were in need of these wheelchairs. Silulumanzi then proceeded to KaNyamazane, Tekwane South and North, Matsafeni, Masoyi and Madras.
The APD is a non-profit organisation that aims for a society for all in which persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to achieve their fullest potential and enjoy active participation and involvement that will help them shape an inclusive society. Silulumanzi’s spokesperson, Richmond Jele, said this was a way to show how much it cares and to have awareness campaigns to educate the community.
ALSO READ: Bushbuckridge initiation schools aim to stick to the law
ALSO READ: Thulamahashe Stallions on fire at during the Maruleng Winter Tournament
“We want to encourage everyone not to neglect people who are disabled in terms of work opportunities, and fight discrimination and other challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. As a community, we need to use the little we have to assist the APD and to not only depend on big companies for donations. Communities need to donate to the APD. It depends on donations to make sure disabled people are well provided with services and programmes. We believe the APD needs to be assisted to be productive and empowered so that it can engage in activities that can improve disabled persons’ earning potential and they can become independent,” said Jele.
According to Thulakahle Khumalo of the APD, it is thankful for the wheelchair donations. “We encourage people living with disabilities to visit any of our branches within their communities to share their challenges, so that we can assist them.”
