Blind Comrades runner, Richard Monisi had been walking to the local shopping centre with a friend when a car veered out of control and hit them both in June. He was tragically killed in that hit-an-run accident.
This was one of many incidents that highlighted the urgent need for motorists to be more aware of blind pedestrians. The KZN Blind and Deaf Society hosted a breakfast event to launch their inaugural “Eye Can Walk” campaign on 13 September.
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With October being Eye Care Awareness Month, this “walk with a difference” event will take place on Sunday, 15 October to coincide with International White Cane Day, commemorated annually.
The start is at Berea Rovers, and the participants will proceed towards Blue Lagoon via the beachfront, finally returning to Rovers. During the 5km event, participants will be encouraged to walk in pairs, with one person being partially blindfolded and led by the other person. The pair will change roles half way into the walk.
Shamila Surjoo who is the director of the KZNBDS said, “We could have chosen the promenade for the walk, but that would have lost the impact of the message we are trying to convey to motorists: that they need to be careful and aware of blind pedestrians and athletes.”
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Justice Zak Yacoob, President of the KZNBDS said there is a need to raise awareness among the sighted community to avoid such accidents happening to blind pedestrians.
Guests were entertained by Bonginkosi Zindela who played the keyboard and sang, and Siyabonga Vilakazi who shared an honest, and at times amusing, story of his life “as a white cane user” after the loss of his sight more than 10 years ago.
The orientation and mobility team asked two guests to volunteer to be blindfolded and guided through the venue to demonstrate the correct way of leading a blind person.
Entries are now open for “Eye Can Walk” at only R50 per person, including one blindfold per pair. Food stalls and entertainment will be on offer on the day! Visit www.eventtiming.info/eyecanwalk to enter or visit www.facebook.com/eyecanwalk for more info or email director@kznbds.org.za.
