Matsulu Disability Centre celebrates Heritage Month
The centre presents crafts such as beading, knitting, shoemaking, gardening, sewing and creating traditional clothing.
The Masibambisane Disability Centre celebrated Heritage Day with an educational event on Tuesday, September 23.
The centre was established in 2001 to support people with various disabilities in the community, teaching them to read, write, and create handicrafts from scratch.
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On Tuesday, they dressed up in different cultural attires and cooked traditional meals.
The centre manager, Hilda Mthebe, said that living with a disability should not prevent anyone from empowering themselves through education and awareness. She added that each person shared knowledge, learnt about different cultures, and reflected on their own experiences.
“We are people living with disabilities, but outside of that we lead normal lives, live with our families, and have children. It is important for us to understand everything happening around us. Every year, during Heritage Month, we gather here to dress up in our traditional attire, cook traditional food, play music, and dance until it’s time to wrap up,” said Mthebe.
Mthebe said the centre accommodates about 80 people with various disabilities, including vision, hearing, and communication impairments, as well as autism and Down syndrome.
She told Lowvelder Express that the centre is currently funded by the Department of Social Development through cash grants. She added that Buscor provides free transport for all attendees to the centre.
The centre is open five days a week, from 09:00 to 15:00. The daily activities include making handmade crafts such as beading, knitting, shoemaking, gardening, sewing, and creating traditional clothing.
Thandiwe Sambo said she has been coming to the centre for 10 years and is grateful to have a home away from home. She added that, even though she cannot see, she has learnt a lot from her time there.
“I am grateful to be part of the community here. Before I came, I lacked confidence and felt that life was unfair. Now, through learning handicrafts, I have gained so much knowledge. I also have a family and friends here,” she added.
