By Gabriel Francke
SWELLENDAM – In a noteworthy move to raise community awareness and support for disabled people, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) officially announced its initiative to launch a Swellendam branch on September 4.
The event, held at the Railton Community Hall, brought together key figures including DPSA Chairperson Monwabisi Mtyanga and Programme Director Wayne Marshall, along with representatives from Bontebok National Park, African Bank, and Municipal Manager Anneline Vorster, Ward 5 Counsellor Gladys Libazi.
Marshall said in an interview with News62 that the goal of this programme is to bring engagement to the community to ensure that people with disability or impairment also receive opportunities.
According Rachel Windvogel, a member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, the whole community, including people with a disability or impairmen, must stand together to address this issue of the lack of opportunities or resources.
“We must make space for disabled people. I like this saying of DPSA of ‘Nothing about us without us’ because you all are here and being here is the beginning in the right direction,” said Windvogel.
During the meeting, Marshall placed emphasise on not excluding disabled people from any type of opportunity or events.
“You talk about integration but do not really do it. If you do not give opportunities to disabled people, how can you call this a community?” he said.
Mtyanga’s goal now is to engage with all the disabled people and community to reveal the planning for DPSA Swellendam and change all the mindsets of the people with disability to a ‘I am enough, I am not limited’ attitude.
“Make sure you do something public that you are apply or allowed to do at home,” Mtyanga said.
The success to this programme for DPSA Swellendam is increased by all the joint efforts of the organisation, with Marshall and Mtyanga playing a crucial role in its movements.
For more information or to reach out to DPSA, contact Wayne Marshall by 083 238 8984 or email at wayne@capnpc.co.za.
