APD celebrates 50 golden years
Management, personnel and members of the Association for Persons with Disability (APD) celebrated the institution's 50 years of existence on November 18.
POLOKWANE – Stakeholders and the community came together to enjoy the anniversary with a glittering ceremony. The centre was established in 1970 and is affiliated with the National Council for Persons with Physical Disability in South Africa. Its core objective is to promote the advancement of persons with physical and intellectual disabilities in the province in order to enable them to attain their maximum level of independence and integration into the community.
APD Limpopo director Christa van der Walt said she wishes for more growth and prosperity for the association.
“We still have a lot to build on and we want to thank everyone who was and still is involved with the association. We thank them for their involvement with persons with disabilities.”
Therina Wentzel, national director for the National Council for Persons with Physical Disability in South Africa, said she wishes the association another 50 years to come. “I am extremely proud of what they have achieved over the years. The association cares for the people of the community and I’d love to thank the community for supporting it over the years as well.”
APD president Marina van Eeden thanked the sponsors of the organisation for their support and dedication over the years.
“To all the representatives of all our projects in Limpopo, thank you for your contribution, enthusiasm and your service over the years. May the unprecedented love, courage and drive shown by helpful volunteers and spirited pioneers from Polokwane enable all the facets of the world of the disabled to continue and to survive with hope, faith and love.”
She added that she is honoured to be a founding member of the association.
“It is an honour and an immensely life-enhancing privilege and I am eternally grateful.”
