Nkomazi’s blind raise awareness on disability, special libraries
Nkomazi's second library for the blind was recently opened and a group of blind residents gathered at the Mgobodzi taxi rank and local library to raise awareness about it.
MGOBODZI – Just because you are blind, does not mean you cannot read or learn. This was the message a group of blind community members aimed to get across during an awareness campaign for the new local Library for the Blind (Minilib) on Friday morning.
The campaign celebrated the opening of Nkomazi’s second library for the blind inside the local public library, following the one in KaMaqhekeza two years ago.
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Under the auspices of the KaMaqhekeza Public Library’s Minilib, the group walked from Mgobodzi Taxi Rank to Somuhle Community Library to create awareness of the library services for blind people and the challenges they faced, especially regarding public transport.
They hoped to encourage taxi and bus drivers to treat blind people with respect and wore placards around their necks stating that they are blind but can still do many things like read and cook.
The Library for the Blind at the Somuhle Community Library was launched on October 9, under the umbrella of the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, to ensure that blind people have access to library facilities.
Enerst Sitiba, a librarian at the KaMaqhekeza Public Library, explained that the first library for the blind was established in Naas in 2016 to address the Batho Pele principle of “access for all”, and ensure that blind people could also use library facilities.
Each of the special libraries is equipped with a document reader, a computer and other equipment to make it easier for blind people to access books and other services offered by the library.
“There will be 21 libraries in Mpumalanga by the end of this year and the long-term goal is for every library in the province to have a library for the blind,” Sitiba said.
“We want to encourage blind people to come out of their houses and visit the libraries and show others what you can do. Help create positive awareness as many people feel blind people are an embarrassment to their families,” the librarian urged.
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The chairperson of the library for the blind, Bongani “DJ Bogra” Sibambo, encouraged people with disabilities to come to the libraries to read and gain more knowledge.
He stated that as a blind DJ, he would like to encourage other blind people to get into the media industry, despite the challenges that come with a disability.
The Small Enterprise Development Agency officials based in Malalane also attended the event and provided advice and guidance for the blind community members involved in business.
