Kwa-Thema – BuhlebeNhlakanipho Care Centre held a Visually Impaired Awareness Campaign at the Kwa-Thema Library on March 16.
The awareness campaign was themed Ubuntu Edition, with a powerful and inspiring address from guest speaker Kutlwano Ratswana.
The campaign, rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu, aimed to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and community support for people living with visual impairments.
It also seeks to break down social barriers and encourage equal opportunities for all. The campaign also featured various guest speakers who addressed a range of topics and offered advice where necessary.
One of the speakers, Thobani Ngema from the National Council for the Blind, delivered a heartfelt message celebrating the strength, resilience and potential of visually impaired and partially sighted individuals in the community.
He spoke on the importance of human rights and highlighted financial literacy from the perspective of people living with visual impairments, encouraging independence, inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
Ngema emphasised that banking institutions should be more considerate towards people who are blind, including providing assistance so they do not have to stand in long queues.
He also called for greater inclusion in the workplace, stressing that visually impaired individuals should be employed and treated with dignity and equality like any other person.
Organisation director, Puleng Nellie expressed that the aim of the campaign was to teach the community that blind people matter too. She cited that visual impairment does not define a person.
“It is their abilities, determination, and contribution to society that truly matter. Visually impaired individuals have the ability to also thrive as parents, teachers, artists, and innovators, refusing to let their challenges limit their potential,” she said.
Nellie urged the audience to shift their perspective from focusing on limitations to recognising the vast capabilities within every individual. She mentioned that society too often focuses on what people cannot do.
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“But visually impaired individuals remind us that with the right support and mindset, anything is possible,” she said.
Among the attendees was Pastor Johannes Mokoena, who emphasised the importance of building a society that values and supports everyone, regardless of ability, and called on community members to work together to create a more inclusive South Africa.
Addressing visually impaired attendees directly, he concluded with a message of appreciation: “Your contributions are valued, your voices matter, and your abilities inspire us all.
“Thank you for showing us what it means to live life to the fullest.”
The event marked another significant step for Buhlebe Nhlakanipho Care Centre in its ongoing mission to raise awareness and foster a more compassionate and inclusive community.
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