The Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation and the Gole Mphaphuli Traditional Council will host a combined traditional cultural festival at Makwarela Stadium on 7 August.
"We hope that all the special schools in the Vhembe District, together with all schools with disabled children in the district, will participate in the cultural festival. Learners will also participate in indigenous sporting activities like muravharavha, khadi, and other cultural dances like malende and tshigombela," said Miss Tebogo Raliphada, a board member of the Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation. She was speaking during a plenary meeting, which was attended by all special schools in the Vhembe District at the Thohoyandou Indoor Centre last Friday.
The chairperson of the Vhembe District Disability Forum, Mr Thomas "White Man" Makhanthisa, kicked off his speech by saying, "Disabled people have a slogan which says 'Nothing about us without us'. So, we should be contacted in everything that has to do with disabled people."
He said he had to contact all the special schools in the Vhembe District to involve them before organising the festival. The various municipalities also promised their support. Delegates were assured that buses would be arranged to transport them to and from the festival.
The organisers are calling for the corporate world and individuals to help them with donations as hosting disabled people from all three municipalities and some day centres from Musina is very costly. Those interested can contact the chairperson of the Vhembe District Disabled Forum, Mr Thomas Makhanthisa, on 071 527 7867.