The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Health and Social Development today commemorated Mandela Day by reaffirming its commitment to building an inclusive society where every child, regardless of ability, is respected and empowered.
Held at Be My Moms Kids Hotel and Montessori in Region D, the Mandela Day programme brought together government leaders, Autism South Africa, community stakeholders and residents to celebrate the abilities and potential of children living with disabilities while promoting awareness and meaningful community action.
Addressing attendees, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development, Cllr Ennie Makhafola, who is also a professional nurse, underscored the importance of recognising and supporting persons living with autism and other disabilities through education and inclusive public services.
Reflecting on the significance of Mandela Day, Cllr Makhafola thanked the many stakeholders and partners whose collective efforts made the programme possible.
“Today is more than just a celebration. We have a responsibility as a community to take the spear and continue the fight. There is no true freedom until everyone is empowered,” said Cllr Makhafola.
She further called on government departments, public officials, civil society organisations and communities to work together to ensure that inclusion becomes a lived reality for every resident.
“The true measure of society is in how it treats its most vulnerable people,” she said, echoing the enduring values championed by former President Nelson Mandela.
Executive Head for Social Development, Mr. Martin Lebea, said the City deliberately selected a centre that cares for children with autism and other disabilities to ensure that Mandela Day reaches those who are often overlooked.
“We wanted to ensure that children living with disabilities are part of this important day because every child deserves to be seen, valued and included. Nelson Mandela had a deep love for children, and we wanted to honour his legacy by celebrating children with special needs and recognising their dignity and potential,” said Mr. Lebea.
The Department had planned two Mandela Day outreach initiatives. While the second event, intended for residents at one of the City’s homeless shelters in Region F, has been postponed, it will still take place before the end of Mandela Month. The programme will provide essential items, including clothing, toiletries and food, through partnerships with various stakeholders.
The day’s activities also included an informative autism awareness session, which educated attendees on the importance of understanding autism as a spectrum disorder. The session highlighted that no two people with autism are the same and stressed the importance of early intervention and ongoing support for affected individuals and their families.
Stakeholders participated in gardening activities to improve the centre’s environment, while the Department’s Food Resilience Unit distributed refreshments during the programme. Food parcels were also handed over to beneficiaries to provide practical support to vulnerable households.
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