Shades Day 2025 shines light on eye health and support
The SA Guide-Dogs Association urges everyone to protect their eyes and support a worthy cause this Shades Day.
The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (Sagda) has officially kicked off its Shades Day 2025 campaign with a powerful and immersive launch themed Around the World in 4 Senses.
The event gave guests the rare opportunity to experience life without sight through a guided, blindfolded walk that engaged taste, smell, touch, and hearing.
Attendees also enjoyed meeting the association’s beloved guide dogs and puppies-in-training.
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Pieter van Niekerk of Sagda, who is visually impaired himself and a proud guide dog owner, explained that Wear Your Shades Day is a powerful way for the public to get involved and support their ongoing efforts to make a real difference in the lives of those living with disabilities.
He emphasised that the campaign is about more than just sunglasses; it is about supporting South Africans living with visual impairments and raising awareness around protecting eyes from harmful UV rays.
The launch now sets the stage for Wear Your Shades Day on October 18, when South Africans are encouraged to put on their coolest sunglasses in a vibrant show of support.
By purchasing a R20 Shades Day sticker, supporters not only showcases their style but also help fund critical programmes such as the breeding, raising, and training of guide dogs, white cane training, and essential life skills development for people with visual impairments, physical disabilities, and children on the autism spectrum.
“Every year, our mission is to transform the lives of approximately 800 individuals by providing them with assistance dogs, long cane training, and daily living skills. Wear Your Shades Day is a powerful way for the public to get involved and help us continue making a real difference,” said Vernon Tutton, director of Sagda.
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He explained that globally, at least 2.2b people live with a vision impairment, and in at least 1b cases, this could have been prevented through early intervention and protection, including something as simple as wearing sunglasses.
Shades Day not only highlights this reality but also serves as a call to action to protect eye health while standing in solidarity with the visually impaired.
Supporters can purchase stickers at participating outlets, including Falco Milano, Pet World, Big Blue, and BUCO stores nationwide.
For more information or to get involved, visit: www.guidedog.org.za
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