MAGABHENI’S Thuthukani Taxi Association has vowed to team up with the eThekwini Municipality to improve services for visually impaired passengers.

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This commitment was announced during the city’s International White Cane Safety Day commemoration, held in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the Blind on October 15 at the Magabheni Community Hall. The event, celebrated under the theme, Promoting Inclusion: Celebrating Abilities and Advocating Access for All, aimed to raise awareness and foster respect for white cane users.

The day kicked off with a demonstration at the Magabheni Taxi Rank, where drivers were educated on the significance of recognising and respecting white cane users on the roads. Sipho Gumede, secretary of the Thuthukani Taxi Association, acknowledged the vital role public transport plays in enhancing mobility for visually impaired individuals. He expressed gratitude for the municipality’s awareness initiatives and emphasised the association’s commitment to providing tailored support for visually impaired passengers.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that our drivers take special care of visually impaired passengers. Ongoing training will be provided to equip our drivers with the skills they need to offer appropriate assistance,” said Gumede.

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Benzile Lushozi, a social worker at the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the Blind, underscored the importance of International White Cane Safety Day, which aligns with Eye Care Month.

“We train visually impaired individuals to become independent using the white cane. We ask the community to respect their abilities and avoid offering unsolicited help as they are perfectly capable of navigating their surroundings on their own,” said Lushozi.

Themba Khumalo, eThekwini’s community liaison officer, highlighted the recent formation of the eThekwini Disability Sector, which represents all disability groups.

“This sector ensures that the voices of those with disabilities are heard and their needs addressed,” Khumalo said.

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