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Aganang Local Municipality in partnership with Matlala South African Police Services held Re Amogeleng Disability Awareness Campaign aiming to educate society to love and care for people living with disability. The campaign was coordinated by the Special Focus Unit in collaboration with other stakeholders including Matlala Victim Empowerment Forum, department of health, education,department of social development after releasing the unfair treatment shown to disable people during door-to-door campaigns at Chloe village in Ward 19.
Various organisations dealing with disability issues in Limpopo Province provided the significance and the roles of their existence. These organisations include South African National Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Persons (SANABP), Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), Deaf Federation of South Africa (DEAFSA).Matlala Victim Empowerment Forum Chairperson; Pherehla Mmanakana explains the factors that triggered the disability awareness in Aganang Local Municipality. She said members of society asked them what they are doing as police when it comes to disability abuse in families.
"During the Door-to -Door campaign with police in 2012, we released there is a serious problem of unfair treatment of people living with disability at Chloe village as they were kept and locked indoors by their families
"Mmakana explained.
Aganang Municipality and Matlala SAPS through its Social Crime Unit worked hard at ensuring that disable persons receive care, love and respect. Municipal Special Focus Committee Chairperson, Cllr Kwena Mahoai advised police officers to work day and night to reinforce justice to those abusing and violating the rights of people living with disabilities.
"Re Amogeleng Campaign talks to all of as humans to tolerate disabled people in our societies and make sure they are continuously protected .As the Municipality we request that social grants for disability be utilised for the needs of people living with disability such as clothes, food, health and education at all times,
"said Special Focus Chairperson. He further appealed to home based carers and Ward Committees to stand up and defend the rights for people living with disabilities in Aganang.
Department of education have introduced Inclusive Education programme aimed at catering for learners with learning difficulties in public schools. Vlakfontein Circuit representative, Mr M Kgare said the programme will provide an opportunity for any child to receive education as they are entitled to irrespective of their physical appearance.He further said the Inclusive Education involves taking the learner's needs and opens doors for learning to disabled children. Rethuseng Special School at Mamehlabe village is one of the schools that cater for children with disabilities in Aganang Municipality.
Department of health plays a major role in providing health services to people living with disabilities.WF Knobel hospital provide dietician, counselling and occupational services to disable persons within villages of Aganang Municipality. Occupational therapy official said there are responsible for preventing disability and helping children with learning disabilities." We assist disabled people to be independent and perform activities of daily life such as cooking, bathing and clothing themselves", she said. She advised parents to consult doctors once they release any signs of disability with their children.
South African Police Services provide support to government initiatives and programmes. Lieteutant Colonel Moabelo from Vlakfontein Police Station thanked Her Worship Mayor, Cllr Maria Mokobodi for supporting disability awareness campaign in Chloe village. He indicated that their door-to door campaigns made them release the unfair treatment encountered by people living with disabilities. Colonel Moabelo requested communities to work together with police in rectifying the abuse and violation of rights in villages." It is our responsibilities as managers to provide corrective measures where things are going out of order. Community members misuse disabled people to sell drugs and dagga on their behalf which causes mental illness", he reprimanded.
Her Worship Mayor, Cllr Maria Mokobodi observed a moment of silent for a 6-years old Makgabo Moloto, who was killed by the municipal vehicle on 20/06/2013 before delivering the keynote address. As the nation is praying and wishing the former state president Nelson Mandela speed recovery, Her Worship Mayor also sent her wishes to Mandela's family. The municipality is disturbed by abuse and bad treatment receiving from the community and their families. Her Worship Mayor, Cllr Mokobodi requested parents to take their disabled children to special schools and treat them the way we like to be treated." Let's us not take decisions on their behalf and pamper them with love as they are God
's gift to us", motivated the Mayor.
Aganang Local Municipality constitute of 5 % of people living with disabilities. Her Worship Mayor,Cllr Mokobodi announced that the municipality requires disabled persons to apply for employment when positions are advertised in Aganang."We advise our disabled people to explore business opportunities by registering in the municipal database and those requiring bursaries to further their studies to enquire from their ward councillors for more information", she concluded.
Re Amogeleng Disability Awareness Campaign give hope and light to various non-government organisations that are caring for children and adults with disabilities in Aganang Local Municipalities. The campaign revived the souls and eradicated the stigma attached to disabled people. The municipal campaign resolved that there is nothing without disabled people in Aganang Local Municipality.
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