Smart Canes were handed over to six visually impaired persons of Rand West City at the Women Against Women and Child Abuse (WAWA) centre in Toekomsrus on Tuesday, 3 November.

This after Dino Otto, one of the visually-impaired residents in the area asked the public to donate money to buy a Smart Cane, only to get a positive response from Jane Mananiso, Member of Parliament, who helped to get a sponsor for five more canes for those suffering from the same condition.

I sent the video to MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development who has helped to get the message out there. The response was positive – so much so that we could get others walking canes too,” Mananiso said.

She added that the canes were meant to restore the dignity of those who are blind, as the canes they have are worn out, while others simply don’t have any.

Hendrik Steyn of the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), who is also blind, explained the use of the canes to the beneficiaries during the handover.

He said the devices vibrate when they sense objects nearby to warn the user. He added that on average they need to be charged after being used for a week or up to ten days, depending on the length of time they have been used.

“These devices use ultrasound technology in very high frequency, picking up on sound waves that a naked ear cannot detect. They can detect an object within four to five metres and will warn the user by vibrating,” Steyn said.

Enrique Bhana, WAWA centre manager said they are always proud of initiatives seeking to improve and restore the dignity of the disabled and visually-impaired.

We are happy because it’s like we’ve brought an early Christmas to the beneficiaries. We would like to urge the community to keep showing their love to those who are less fortunate,” Bhana said.