Blind readers march to create awareness of their abilities
A group of blind community members marched through the busy Kamaqhekeza Plaza on June 9 to tell people about the special library for the blind and ask that blind people be respected and considered more.
NAAS – “I am blind, but I can read,” read a placard around a marcher’s neck. Next to him, another walked with the words “I am blind and I am computer literate” on his placard. These two people were a part of a special walk for the blind held by the Kamaqhekeza Library and Kamaqhekeza Plaza on June 9.
The aim of the walk was to create awareness that even though people are blind, they should be treated with respect and recognised.
“We were trying to make them understand that as blind people we need to be assisted. When we get into shops, they should be able to recognise and help us, and not push us aside.”
“Sometimes the challenge that we face is that a person will push you aside and not want to even understand that you are blind,” said Thobile Ndlovu.
Some of the marchers are members of the mini library inside the local library, which caters for the blind, partially blind and people with albinism. There are currently 14 libraries offering services to the blind across the province, including Mbombela, Mashishing and eMhalahleni.
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The mini library in Kamaqhekeza opened late last year, was made possible by the Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation, the Nkomazi Local Municipality and the SA National Library for the Blind in Grahamstown.
“Being blind doesn’t mean you cannot do anything, or that you cannot read or use a computer. Normally the people come to the library and they are already registered to study or they are willing to read to further their studies. The library has a computer that is equipped with software to assist the blind to get access to the Internet, type their CVs or read books and papers,” said one of the librarians, Mr Ernest Sitiba.
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Bongani Sibambo (29) was born completely blind but said he is computer literate and regularly uses the library’s computer for research for school and work. He also tried to help other blind people that don’t have as much experience with the situation as he does.
