The disability sector has welcomed a carpentry skills programme launched in KwaMashu recently saying it will make a huge difference in their lives.

PEOPLE with disabilities often face challenges in finding and maintaining employment. That’s the word from the Secretary of the eThekwini Disability Forum Siyabonga Sosibo. Sosibo said it was against this backdrop that as the forum, they are supporting a carpentry skills programme for the disabled to be housed at Khalipha Special School in KwaMashu. He said it is common for disabled people to be unable to maintain employment because “they’re not given the opportunity to develop soft skills, let alone hard job skills that are needed in the job market”. The programme was launched at the KwaMashu Indoor Sport Centre and was attended by various sectors of society. Sosibo said Maphanga Trading and the Ezandawonye Disability Economic Empowerment Organisation will be spearheading the training. “We are very excited for people with disabilities and hope this will assist in encouraging them to be entrepreneurs while at the same time gaining valuable skills for the job market,” added Sosibo.

Noxolo Ndlela said as a disabled person, this will open a world of opportunities for her. “We don’t normally get such opportunities, so I am grabbing this with both hands.” She thanked the City’s Disability Forum and everyone involved in the programme. “The forum seems to have hit the ground running. I hope they continue to help our sector when it comes to economic empowerment, sports and various other things which is very rare for us.”