Latest news with #KZNBDS
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Eye Can Walk 5km/ 10km challenges runners
AS race day fast approaches, entries remain open for the Eye Can Walk 5km/ 10km Challenge on Sunday, August 24, from Suncoast Lawns in Durban. Scores of runners are expected to be part of the KZN Athletics accredited race, hosted by the KZN Blind and Deaf Society (KZNBDS). The race route is along the Durban beachfront promenade, which KZNBDS president Veetha Sewkuran said would be the perfect setting for the event. She said around 2000 runners will be part of the race which starts at 08:00. 'We are expecting both social and elite runners and walkers to be part of the challenge,' said Sewkuran. 'The race is accredited, there will be cash prizes and medals at the end.' The challenge was conceived by the organisation in 2017 as a means to raise awareness of, and to uplift, blind and deaf people. Over the years it has grown to be more than just an awareness fun walk. Sewkuran said despite the fast-paced growth of the event, the organisers have not deviated from its purpose. Also Read: Blind residents highlight Eye Can Walk 'It's a unique and good concept, running and raising awareness at the same time. The race has evolved over time and become more competitive to include other services such as a chiropractor, and having diabetes and high blood pressure checks,' said Sewkuran. 'The only thing that has changed this year is the venue, because there were issues of safety and parking. With us starting at Suncoast, it solves that issue.' The race is kids and pet friendly. All entrants will receive T-shirts and medals. The entry price for the 10km run ranges from R180 to R240, and the cost to participate in the 5km walk/run is R100. Tickets can be purchased via Webtickets or at Pick n Pay. Race pack collection is on Saturday, August 23, at Pirates Lifesaving Club from 09:00 to 16:00 and on Sunday from 06:30 to 07:30. For more information contact Anand Naicker on 083 783 6363 or Yegeshne Naidu on 031 309 4991 / 067 281 7782. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Amanzimtoti one step closer to inclusion with sign language lessons
CLASS is in session at Amanzimtoti Main Beach, where the KZN Blind and Deaf Society (KZNBDS) are teaching lifeguards and establishments South African Sign Language at the Amanzimtoti Surf Lifesaving Club. Also read: Umkhomazi water tender sparks legal battle Making good on his ambitious plans to make Amanzimtoti an inclusive and accommodating haven for disabled individuals is Wheels on Waves founder, Wesley Smith, the facilitator of the project. 'Deaf people live in a silent prison and I want to bridge the divide so that they can come around and make friends. It's a battle when they can only communicate with people who know sign language. This forms part of the foundation of future plans to start inviting local schools for the hearing impaired to have fun days on the beach surfing, fishing, learning a bit of life saving and playing games on the beach,' said Smith. KZNBDS instructors, Khanyisile Nzimande and Thembeka Chili, recapped previous lessons to bring a new learner, Matthew Kearns, up to speed and refresh the memory of the other learners. Nzimande's energy was infectious and she passionately taught the learners. The jovial lesson was fully practical and interactive, with participants signing along. The learners each have a practical use for sign language, from assisting lifesavers carry out their duties to service staff being equipped to assist customers more inclusively. As such, the lessons progressed from basic greetings, questions and answers, to signs specific to lifeguarding and assisting customers. Sign language is deeply expressive and in many ways, can be seen as simplified English. Your body as a whole is used to communicate, including your fingers, hands, arms, head and chest. It leverages how people think about things, for example, to sign 'deaf', you would use two fingers and gesture towards your ear. Beach superintendent, Jace Govender, said the project is a collaborative effort among the businesses along Amanzimtoti Main Beach, including Thirsty Whale, Spur, The Surfing Bean and Amanzimtoti Surf Lifesaving Club. 'The people that are here for seven days a week will now hopefully have basic knowledge of South African Sign Language. When a person with a disability comes around, sometimes they can feel totally lost and cannot find their way around. Now, hopefully everyone learning will have the basics down to be able to assist beachgoers with disabilities. I think this sort of project should be rolled out to all public areas. It's a fantastic bit of progress towards inclusivity in Amanzimtoti. Thanks to all the partners who have come together to learn, and to Amanzimtoti Surf Lifesaving Club for the venue,' said Govender. Smith will be providing free sign language lessons based on everything he learns from KZNBDS to everyone interested every Monday at The Surfing Bean from 13:00 until 15:00. For more information, contact Smith on 082 802 1349. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
