Social development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi yesterday handed over eight “specialised” minibus taxis to six district municipalities and two metros to transport disabled people during times of need.
The taxis will be used by department offices and each vehicle will cost R11659 to lease per month for the next five years.
Passengers access the custom-built Toyota Quantums through the rear and each is fitted with a wheelchair lifting device. They do not have seats like those found in traditional vehicles to accommodate the wheelchairs, which are strapped to specially fitted seatbelts on the side of the interior.
However, in the event passengers need seats, they can be fitted.
Sihlwayi said her department had a much greater responsibility than other departments because it had to bring quality services to the most vulnerable groups of the community.
“Research shows that there are still communities within the Eastern Cape that fail to disclose family members that have disabilities. This shows that we are still fighting stigmatisation of persons living with disabilities and initiatives such as this one put us a step closer to achieving our mandate to restore and protect the dignity of all persons in our communities.”
The handover took place in a tent in front of Jabavu Hall in Duncan Village and was attended by about 1000 residents from the area dressed in ANC regalia singing about the party.
Amos Mzimele, 44, a resident from Mooiplaas said vehicles for disabled people were a necessity for all communities.
Mzimela, who manages a disability centre in Mooiplaas that trains disabled people and prepares them for work, said the vehicles were long overdue. “It is important to create an environment that allows disabled people to be active partakers in the economy of the country.”
Mzimela said being carried into a car took away a person’s dignity and could discourage disabled people from wanting to involve themselves in most activities.
“Even though some people have empathy for disabled people it is still an embarrassment being carried into a car like a bag of potatoes.”
Sihlwayi said the vehicles, through the department’s district offices, could be used to transport disabled people to public meetings within a reasonable distance when necessary. — simthandilef@gmail.co.za
Special taxis for the infirm
The taxis will be used by department offices and each vehicle will cost R11659 to lease per month for the next five years.
Passengers access the custom-built Toyota Quantums through the rear and each is fitted with a wheelchair lifting device. They do not have seats like those found in traditional vehicles to accommodate the wheelchairs, which are strapped to specially fitted seatbelts on the side of the interior.
However, in the event passengers need seats, they can be fitted.
Sihlwayi said her department had a much greater responsibility than other departments because it had to bring quality services to the most vulnerable groups of the community.
“Research shows that there are still communities within the Eastern Cape that fail to disclose family members that have disabilities. This shows that we are still fighting stigmatisation of persons living with disabilities and initiatives such as this one put us a step closer to achieving our mandate to restore and protect the dignity of all persons in our communities.”
The handover took place in a tent in front of Jabavu Hall in Duncan Village and was attended by about 1000 residents from the area dressed in ANC regalia singing about the party.
Amos Mzimele, 44, a resident from Mooiplaas said vehicles for disabled people were a necessity for all communities.
Mzimela, who manages a disability centre in Mooiplaas that trains disabled people and prepares them for work, said the vehicles were long overdue. “It is important to create an environment that allows disabled people to be active partakers in the economy of the country.”
Mzimela said being carried into a car took away a person’s dignity and could discourage disabled people from wanting to involve themselves in most activities.
“Even though some people have empathy for disabled people it is still an embarrassment being carried into a car like a bag of potatoes.”
Sihlwayi said the vehicles, through the department’s district offices, could be used to transport disabled people to public meetings within a reasonable distance when necessary. — simthandilef@gmail.co.za
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