DISABILITY RIGHTS AWARENESS MONTH – Advancing the Right to Education

PRESS RELEASE

KwaNzimakwe, South Africa – Siyakwazi, a community-based nonprofit, is expanding its Respite Play & Learn programme in response to growing demand from under-resourced communities near Munster. Recognising that not all children can attend school and many families crave supportive respite, Respite Play & Learn provides educational opportunities for children with severe to profound disabilities who are unable to enrol in mainstream or specialist schooling.

Initially supporting 10 children twice-a-month, the programme has grown to host 18 children in weekly sessions, highlighting the pressing need for specialised, individualised support. Along with fostering each child’s functional learning and developmental progress, the programme offers essential relief to guardians, many of whom are full-time caregivers. This respite eases the daily caregiving load, allowing families valuable time to recharge and manage other responsibilities. Siyakwazi is one of only a few organisations on the South Coast providing this kind of support and the only one offering it within the tribal authorities of KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo.

“This expansion highlights just how essential community-based programmes are in bridging educational gaps for children with disabilities,” says Cathy Mather-Pike, Director at Siyakwazi. “For many children, it’s their first time experiencing structured learning in a setting that’s built to support them as individuals. Our mission is to uphold every child’s right to learn, and with more support, we can keep building an inclusive space where no child is excluded.”

Respite Play & Learn sessions include intensive one-on-one support, meals, transport, assistive devices like wheelchairs and standing frames, and educational resources. This personalised care highlights the complexity of each child’s needs and reaffirms Siyakwazi’s commitment to holistic development. 

In light of Disability Rights Awareness Month, Siyakwazi calls on South Coasters to support Respite Play & Learn’s continued growth. Contributions fund essential resources, assistive devices, therapies, and staff. For more information or to donate, please visit www.siyakwazi.org. 

What is Disability Rights Awareness Month?

South Africa observes National Disability Rights Awareness Month each year from 3 November to 3 December. The month culminates on 3 December, which marks both the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and National Disability Rights Awareness Day.

Disability can result from a range of impairments, including physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, or developmental, and may be present from birth or acquired later in life. Disability Rights Awareness Month serves as a crucial opportunity for everyone to take action in breaking down barriers and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through meaningful, concrete efforts.