By Khanyisa Khenese
The South African Library for the Blind and local stakeholders held an International White Cane Safety Day recently at the Cathedral Church Square. The event aimed to celebrate and sensitize the broader community about the importance of the White Cane and the challenges faced by the blind people every day, including infrastructure issues.
The event kicked off with a blind walk from the Settlers Day Clinic in Cobden Street all the way to Church Square where a formal programme started.
Public Relations and Communication Officer of the South Africa Library for the Blind, Vusimzi Mkhetshane said “In inviting the Makana Executive Mayor and other stakeholders we are hoping that infrastructure issues will also be addressed because they also impact mobility and independence of our blind members”
In celebrating the Cane Day, SALB collaborated with Upliving with Disability, Department of Sport Recreation Arts and Culture, COGTA, Makana Local Municipality, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, SABYO.
In her message, Nomonde Maqubela, a senior manager for Library and Information Services at SALB called for action to local authorities to advocate for policies and infrastructure that will prioritize accessibility for the blind community.
Makana municipality ward 8 councillor Cary Mark supported SALB call for authorities to advocate for infrastructure.
“We need to make sure that our city works and that it is safe and inclusive for everyone. We also need to start involving children in things that make them accept and understand. We need to cultivate understanding for each other” she said.
White Cane Safety Day is a day that is celebrated on 15 October annually throughout the world. The date was set to celebrate the accomplishments of the blind and those visually impaired.
The long White cane is used by people who are blind as a tool for safe and reliable navigation. Moreover, the date provides people an opportunity to increase awareness of the White Cane traffic safety laws.
