Community members, government departments, and civic organizations converged in Potchefstroom on 26 October to mark White Cane Safety Day alongside Eye Care and Senior Citizens Month.
The commemorative programme featured an advocacy street march and an informative gathering at the Potchefstroom Banquet Hall, spotlighting the rights, safety, and everyday inclusion of blind and visually impaired persons while taking a strong stance against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
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The day commenced with a collaborative awareness procession through the streets of Potchefstroom within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality. Participants wore commemorative attire bearing slogans such as "Every Story Counts" and hoisted banners opposing gender-based violence. Marchers carried placards underscoring the dignity of visually impaired individuals, including messages stating: "Her white cane is a tool for independence, not a target for abuse" and "Freedom of movement is a human right".
Following the march, proceedings moved inside the Banquet Hall for a formal session organized by the Library and Information Services (LIAS) unit under the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR). The event gathered multiple stakeholders, including representatives from the Office of the Premier, the North West Department of Health, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), First National Bank (FNB), and the local JB Marks Taxi Association. Displays at the venue emphasized accessible literature, including free Braille and audio book services through provincial mini-libraries, aimed at encouraging older persons and individuals with visual disabilities to utilize community library resources.
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During the event, the Director for Health Programmes, Mr Otsile Motlhabane, delivered a message of support on behalf of the North West Department of Health. Emphasizing the daily realities encountered by visually impaired persons, Motlhabane participated in a blindfolded mobility walk alongside attendees to experience navigating public spaces using a white cane. He stressed the necessity of regular eye check-ups, early intervention, and community-wide adjustments to support universal accessibility. Senior citizens from the Matlwang Dual Library also took the stage, contributing a special cultural performance during the proceedings.
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Officials and disability advocates concluded the gathering by urging motorists, public transport operators, and community members to actively uphold the rights of white cane users. Key recommendations included keeping walkways free of obstacles, yielding the right-of-way to cane users, offering respectful assistance when requested, and eliminating institutional and physical barriers across transport, healthcare, and education.
#WhiteCaneSafetyDay #DisabilityInclusion #EyeCareAwareness #EndGBVF
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