Mhlontlo local Municipality held a Disability Day event at Tsolo Junction Hall on Wednesday to empower people living with disabilities to empower persons living with disabilities.
The aim of the event was to interact with the people living with disabilities and to get to know their problems, so the municipality can come up with solutions to the challenges they are currently facing.
“The municipality is engaging with the Department of Human settlements, to help build suitable houses for the disabled, and is conducting awareness campaigns within the municipality wards to educate residents about different disabilities and how to treat people living with disabilities”, said Sesi Matshoba the Special programmes Unit and Inter Governmental Relations Portfolio Head at Mhlontlo local Municipality.
Residents who attended the build-up event were given toiletry bags with toiletries inside. The municipality does give out wheelchairs to the needy. It distributes 8 wheelchairs per quota to those in need.
“The main challenge we are facing is the stigma within our communities, and High unemployment rate. We would like the government to help us fight these challenges and to also help those who are being abused because of the disabilities they are living with”, said Mlahleni Mcelu, one of the people who attended the event. Mcelu is living with two disabilities.
Those who need counselling can contact Bumb’ingomso at 0800 555 58 (TOLL FREE) or book a session on WhatsApp at 072 654 9224
They can also contact POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse) at 011 642 4345
Or contact Childline at 08000 55 555.
