Visually impaired residents of Dimbaza were yesterday showered with gifts by the royal house of Mandela and Mvezo traditional council.
The royal house, led Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, yesterday delivered food parcels, Mandela International Day T-shirts and blankets to 27 blind individuals from the Eastern Cape Braille and Print Institution (ECBPI) during a brief function in the township.
The hand-over took place in a makeshift ECBPI offices where various visually impaired individuals also complained about the poor conditions of their establishment.
The institution operates from a container donated to them in 2011 by the provincial roads and public works department.
During the hand-over function, the group of mainly elderly women and a few men, pleaded with authorities to provide them with basic necessities such as water, sanitation and electricity.
ECBPI is responsible for converting normal written text into braille for those who are blind.
It is also where locals are also taught how to write and read braille, a means of reading mostly used by those who are visually impaired.
Addressing a crowd of about 50 people, iconic statesman Nelson Mandela’s grandson said he applauded the ECBPI “for the heroic work that they are doing with the most meagre of means.
“The world of the blind and visually impaired is a lonely and scared enough place without the complexity of hardship and poverty. Their resilience and resoluteness under these trying circumstances is indeed meritorious.
“It is truly heart-wrenching to see the most vulnerable in our society suffering in such abject poverty and under such atrocious conditions,” said Mandla.
He also pleaded with government and the private sector to open their hearts and eyes to the plight of the institution, which he said was playing a vital role in that community and its surrounds.
“We would like to see some quick intervention but also a long-term commitment to ensuring that the ECBPI gets the support that it deserves.
“The recipients may not be able to see you but your generosity will bring much needed joy and relief to their eyes and hearts.”
The royal house was invited to Dimbaza by the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders. Accompanying Mandela was his wife, Nodiyala, and traditional leaders from Rharhabe and AbaThembu kingdoms.
They included King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s wife, Noluntu, and AmaRharhabe’s Nokwandisa Kama.
Mandela, who is also an ANC member of parliament, promised to approach national government departments for much needed support to the institution.
The royals also donated R1000 to the institution to help them facilitate the construction of a decent toilet facility in their establishment.
Nomava Gungqa, who coordinates activities at the ECBPI, could not contain her joy by the gesture saying it would go a long way to improving the lives of those who were visually impaired in that area.
Mandela brings joy to Dimbaza
The royal house, led Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, yesterday delivered food parcels, Mandela International Day T-shirts and blankets to 27 blind individuals from the Eastern Cape Braille and Print Institution (ECBPI) during a brief function in the township.
The hand-over took place in a makeshift ECBPI offices where various visually impaired individuals also complained about the poor conditions of their establishment.
The institution operates from a container donated to them in 2011 by the provincial roads and public works department.
During the hand-over function, the group of mainly elderly women and a few men, pleaded with authorities to provide them with basic necessities such as water, sanitation and electricity.
ECBPI is responsible for converting normal written text into braille for those who are blind.
It is also where locals are also taught how to write and read braille, a means of reading mostly used by those who are visually impaired.
Addressing a crowd of about 50 people, iconic statesman Nelson Mandela’s grandson said he applauded the ECBPI “for the heroic work that they are doing with the most meagre of means.
“The world of the blind and visually impaired is a lonely and scared enough place without the complexity of hardship and poverty. Their resilience and resoluteness under these trying circumstances is indeed meritorious.
“It is truly heart-wrenching to see the most vulnerable in our society suffering in such abject poverty and under such atrocious conditions,” said Mandla.
He also pleaded with government and the private sector to open their hearts and eyes to the plight of the institution, which he said was playing a vital role in that community and its surrounds.
“We would like to see some quick intervention but also a long-term commitment to ensuring that the ECBPI gets the support that it deserves.
“The recipients may not be able to see you but your generosity will bring much needed joy and relief to their eyes and hearts.”
The royal house was invited to Dimbaza by the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders. Accompanying Mandela was his wife, Nodiyala, and traditional leaders from Rharhabe and AbaThembu kingdoms.
They included King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s wife, Noluntu, and AmaRharhabe’s Nokwandisa Kama.
Mandela, who is also an ANC member of parliament, promised to approach national government departments for much needed support to the institution.
The royals also donated R1000 to the institution to help them facilitate the construction of a decent toilet facility in their establishment.
Nomava Gungqa, who coordinates activities at the ECBPI, could not contain her joy by the gesture saying it would go a long way to improving the lives of those who were visually impaired in that area.
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