A fun run that unites individuals
The fun run is set to become an annual event at the centre according to centre manager, Ernest Tsipa.
Tokologo Self-Help Centre in Protea Glen Phase One held its first fun run last Saturday aimed at raising funds for the centre and commemorating International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The fun run spanned a distance of 7km around the Protea Glen and North areas passing landmarks such as Rhema Church in Protea North. Runners were large of the inexperienced kind and took about two hours to complete the route.
“The route was tough! I didn’t even run, I walked. I didn’t want to take chances, mine was just to walk because I’ve been out of the gym for the past four months so it was a return to an active life and healthy living for me so it helped me a great deal,” said Ward 13 Councillor, George Mahlangu.
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Mahlangu further noted that the fact that the residents of Tokologo Self-help Centre organised the event themselves showed that they were quite capable of doing the same things able-bodied people can do contrary to popular belief.
The fun run is set to become an annual event at the centre according to centre manager, Ernest Tsipa.
“Next year is going to be bigger and include more sporting codes. We are going to organise soccer for the elderly, youth and disabled people,” he elaborated.
The centre is facing financial challenges as they do not receive enough financial support from the government. Tsipa encourages the community to get involved in the centre and assist by volunteering their time at the centre.
“Community members can volunteer their time during weekends or even donate food or clothes to the centre, we would really appreciate that a lot,” said Tsipa.
Events such as these are deemed very important according to Dan Kekana, Gauteng Provincial Chairperson for the Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA).
“We have a saying in the disability sector that says our condition is not a disability but it is just impairment.
“Disability is what the society administers on us so by society integrating and mixing with us, it increases the chances of us being able to understand one another and being able to live with one another in a harmonious way,” Kekana concluded.
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