Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
13 November 2023
The Khuthala Association for the Blind held a white cane awareness day and fun walk on Thursday, 09 November 2023.
White Cane Day is celebrated nationally every year in October.
The day is set to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired, an important symbol of blindness and a tool of independence.
The association celebrated their white cane day in Embalenhle at House of Praise Church.
Thereafter, they took a walk through Embalenhle Mall, which was a great way to raise visibility and awareness of the independence that the blind and visually impaired have when using a cane.
With the support of the SAPS and instructors, they helped manage traffic while accompanying those who took part in the walk by blindfolding and using a cane to understand how blind people feel when going about their normal days.
Bongani Mthimunye, the acting chairperson for the blind, outlined the purpose of hosting a white cane day as a day where they teach and encourage blind or visually impaired people to be fully independent and to teach sighted people to protect their eyes.
“It is challenging to be visually impaired; being part of the Khuthala association makes it easier to move from point A to point F.
Visually impaired individuals have good memory, and their feeling sense is very powerful compared to sighted individuals.
At Khuthala, we teach the blind to be dependent on themselves.
Our goal and main aim is to have a school where students will be taught how to read Braille and use adaptive technology and handwork, which will equip them to be entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Mthimunye.
Anyone willing to join the association can attend at the House of Praise Church in Embalenhle front, opposite Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School, every Thursday.
Sponsors willing to lend a helping hand can contact the secretary, Mrs. Joice Mdeliswa, on 072 902 2309 or Mrs. Nkosi on 071 443 2962.
