DISABILITY Rights Awareness Month, observed annually from November 3 to December 3, highlights the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, which includes the lack of job opportunities and recognition throughout South Africa.

To combat this and the rise in unemployment, the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society (KZNBDS) has created a skills and employment programme that equips their clients with a means to earn a livelihood. The sewing programmes, which have intakes every 12 weeks, began in November 2023 and are open to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing and partially blind. The president of the non-profit organisation, Veetha Sewkuran, said, “The purpose of the programme is to empower and uplift our clients by giving them the skills to grow and improve their lives while creating jobs opportunities.”

She said the programme was born out of an initiative that was started by KZNBDS in 2020, at the height of Covid-19, when the organisation manufactured masks and sold them throughout the country. “From there, we got industrious and tried to get this programme off the ground to create jobs but soon realised that we needed for them to be trained. Since then, we have absorbed some of our clients into the sewing room where they sew kimonos and kaftans from donated saris. After the 12 weeks of training, the trainees get a certificate upon completing the programme which they can use to search for employment or start their own businesses,” added Sewkuran.

Also Read: Sewing the fabric of the Blind and Deaf Society

Among the beneficiaries of the programme is Thandiwe Khonza who said learning to sew was a struggle at first, but she has since gotten the hang of it. “Once I finish training, I want to start my own business or seek employment. I can work at clothing factories but I have learnt so much here that I can earn money to start my own thing,” said Khonza. At the age of 43, the aspiring machinist said it is never too late to learn a new skill. Khonza said she was recommended the programme by a social worker whom she had gone to see for assistance.

“People with disabilities need to stand up and talk to a social worker, so we stop depending on others for everything. You need to look for a job or find a training programme such as this. Do not let opportunities pass you by – look at me; I grabbed it with both hands, and now, I will be independent and stop relying on my family for everything,” added Khonza.

Enrolment for the second sewing course has commenced, and they are taking five candidates for three months. After completion, students who have completed the course successfully will receive a certificate and also be assisted with job placements. For more information on the programme, you can contact the KZNBDS on 031 309 4991 / 067 281 7782 or email info@bdskzn.org.za.

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