"It is high time that all concerned parties - parents, communities, public servants and politicians - join hands to ensure that children with disabilities have the same opportunities as other children," said Cllr John Mamafha during the celebration of Casual Day at Tshilwavhusiku Special School last Friday.

Mamafha said that all parents had a responsibility to look after their children, irrespective of whether they were born in or out of wedlock. “As we take stock of the overall performance of the government, we must also check whether we are doing enough as government to address the challenges of people with disabilities. We must send a clear message out there that people with disabilities are as human and productive as everyone else in society. Disabled people, like all members of society, have the right to human rights and dignity.”

Mamafha said that as the municipality they wanted to create an awareness about the situation of disbaled people and challenged persons, and the people who take care of them.

Lutendo Mahangwahaya spoke on behalf of children with disabilities. "We are here to tell the municipality to build accessible routes to buildings for people who use crutches and wheelchairs. We are appealing to our parents not to hide us just because we are disabled. Some parents do not even want to take us to church because their friends will laugh at them. This is not good for us. They look at our crutches and not at us as ordinary kids."

Vhamusanda Vho-Piet Ramabulana urged the community not to push these people away. “We have this kind of event because we want to show disabled and challenged people that we love and accept them in our houses and community." He urged parents to stop abusing these people and to stop using them as sources of income. He said that the disability grants should be used in the way they were intended.

The principal of the school, Mufunwa Ramutshila, indicated that a shortage of classrooms was the main challenge that they were facing, as they have only four classrooms catering for more than 150 learners.

Parents of the school voiced their opinions regarding the teachers at the school. “The teachers are not just teachers, but also social workers at the same time. They are really doing an excellent job. Gone are those days when people used to chain their children at home because they have disabilities. Let them come and learn with others, because they have potential like all other children."