ELIM – The managing director of Elim Society for the Disabled, Mr Rich Mbhombhi, said his society is not being treated fairly by the government as far as funding is concerned.

The Society for the Disabled which was established in 2004 by local individuals with disabilities and is being managed by the disabled persons. It is situated in the mountainous area next to the former College of Education, Lemana.

In an interview with Mirror this week, an outraged Mbhombhi claimed that, since the establishment of the centre, they have not yet received any assistance from the government, be it in the form of resources or funds, despite having followed all the required processes such as drafting a business plan and registering the society with the relevant authorities.

“Local social workers have been sending us from pillar to post; now we are tired and we want our government to send its representatives to meet us at the centre,” he said. Mbhombi said that the centre has been receiving enormous support from Soutpansberg Milling and M Premjee and Sons. This academic year, the managing director said that they had 50 students with disabilities. “Government officials must stop claiming from a distance to be working closely with people with disabilities, whereas they are not.”

Mbhombhi, who is expecting more learners in the next academic year, can be contacted at 082 666 4385.