Candle Light Vigil for World Sight Day

The South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), together with the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons (OSDP) and the Polokwane Municipality hosted a candle light vigil in commemoration of World Sight Day at Jack Botes Hall on Thursday, 5 November.
Joined by the Office of the Premier and other departments they all participated in a White Cane Awareness Walk from SABC Park to Jack Botes Hall. The SANCB also ran a free eye screening at SABC Park. To honour the blind, some individuals who have full eyesight walked blind-folded in order to relate to the challenges of the blind.
Later the day a ceremony was hosted where they celebrated success stories of those whose eyesight was restored over the years with the help of SANCB. While candles were lit in the dark, SANCB Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Bhavanisha Chanderparsadh read out a poem about the eye. One of the speakers, SANCB Provincial Chairperson, Solly Matlaila explained the purpose of the gathering.
Some individuals with full eyesight that were blindfolded during the walk were called to the podium to share their experiences during the ‘blind walk.’ Ward 8 committee member, Jacobeth Rasebotsa said it was challenging for her to walk blind folded and she admires the blind who cope with this reality daily. “I found it very hard to get to the destination. I can’t imagine how it feels when someone is introduced to you and you cannot see what the person looks like, what they are wearing or even how tall or short they are. I sympathise with people who are blind because it is not an easy task to endure,” Jacobeth said.
Papa Mouse the mascot was also invited to the ceremony where poor sighted people could feel and touch him to feel what type of a mascot he was. Accompanied by his friend Thabo Mothapo, he explained that Papa Mouse also relates to their challenges. “Papa Mouse also cannot speak nor see. So he can relate to almost everyone here and he has sent me to tell you guys that he feels what you’re going through and that everything will be okay,” Thabo said.
Nchabeng Tsebe from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in his address said: “People will put you in a box, and if you allow yourself to be defined by other people, just know that you will always remain in the box and never grow. You must never allow your limitations to define you because we are all blessed with skills and competencies. It’s just a questions of how willing you are to explore. Bear in mind that disability is a just phrase people use to put you in a box and to limit you. Never allow your situation and circumstances to define you because you can do anything in life your mind tells you,” Nchabeng said.

Story: Anne Molope