The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mrs Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will open a state of the art facility life skills and ICT centre – Velokhaya Cycling Project in Khayelitsha, Cape Town – which aims to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. The newly-built life skills and information communication technology (ICT) centre has a fully equipped computer laboratory, bicycle repair room, and a gym.
Since being given the mandate to advance and promote the rights of people with disabilities in 2014, the Department of Social Development has taken a number of measures to identify challenges and opportunities towards building a consensus on national priority areas for action going forward.
A key milestone to this end has been Cabinet’s approval of the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 11. The policy will accelerate transformation and redress regarding full inclusion, integration and equality for persons with disabilities. It is also aligned to the disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2015.
At a grassroots level, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu, has been involved in a concerted effort to facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in socio-economic activities using technology. In this regard, she has opened a number of ICT centres in various schools and communities around the country with the assistance of different stakeholders.
The Velokhaya Cycling Project provides a safe recreational space for after-school activities to children from Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Langa and nearby informal settlements. The project identifies itself with inspiration and achievement and is regarded as a facility where new sporting heroes, role models and talented individuals will be developed.
The MTN Foundation has sponsored the computer laboratory, while also providing technical support and training at the centre.
The centre boasts modern workstations, a multi-functional printer and internet linked computers through subsidised Wi-Fi connectivity. This will allow access to educational content and learning materials, therefore contributing to positive educational outcomes for beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries of the centre will receive BMX bicycles, including safety equipment and cycling apparel.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the official opening of the centre, planned as follows:
Date: Monday, 14 December 2015
Time: 10h00
Venue: Velokhaya Cycling Project, Corner Kusasa and Makabine Street, Khayelitsha Township, Western Cape.
RSVP:
Jaconia Kobue
Cell: 073 026 1111
Email: jaconiak@dsd.gov.za
Justice Ditshego
Cell: 079 4977426
Email: justiced@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
Email: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
