Disability forum gears up for 2010

Pictured at the meeting between the uMhlathuze Disability Tourism Forum and the KZN Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism in Richards Bay on Friday were (back) Forum members - Siphiwe Mngomezulu and Mandla Magagula, Sipho Mchunu of the uMhlathuze Tourism Association, Chairperson of the uMhlathuze Disability Tourism Forum - Tracy Mkhize, Zakithi Gumede of the KZN Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism and KZN Deputy Manager of Tourism Development - M E Kheswa (front) forum member - Selvan Naidoo, Nkandla Councillor - BV Khanyile and forum member - Dludla Harrington

Ronelle Ramsamy

WITH preparations underway for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the uMhlathuze Disability Tourism Forum has formulated proposals to ensure that disabled persons play an integral role during the international soccer showpiece.
This came to light at a meeting between the uMhlathuze Disability Tourism Forum and the KZN Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism in Richards Bay on Friday.
Since its inception earlier this year, the forum has been working closely with the provincial department of Arts, Culture and Tourism, the City of uMhlathuze, University of Zululand, Tourism KZN and various provincial disability bodies.
The forum’s main objective is to ensure that disabled persons are integrated in the local tourism industry and to facilitate skills programmes to empower disabled persons to become entrepreneurs.
During his presentation, forum chairperson Tracy Mkhize said they were currently negotiating with a bus company to specially design and modify a bus that could accommodate disabled persons.
‘There is no bus that is suitable and user-friendly for disabled people. We want to ensure that disabled people attend the World Cup and visit local tourist attractions.
‘We need funding to kick-start the bus project and a business plan is being compiled,’ said Mkhize.

Souvenirs
The forum has also identified sustainable job creation projects, including an Arts and Craft project, where disabled persons could make souvenirs ahead of the World Cup.
‘This project could be marketed and sold nationally. We also want to create an opportunity for disabled persons to run mobile Internet cafes in the stadiums so that visitors do not carry laptops, which will prevent criminal activities,’ said Mkhize.
In addition, the forum had forwarded a letter to CEO of the 2010 Soccer World Cup committee, Danny Jordaan, requesting the involvement of disabled persons in the World Cup and the possibility of training disabled persons to assist in football coaching, managing or marketing.
‘In a written response, his office indicated that they will check how our constituency can get involved.
‘We also want to investigate the possibility of disabled persons creating a wheelchair formation ahead of the final game.
‘International disabled persons must be accommodated at the event. There are currently no suites for disabled persons at the stadiums,’ said Mkhize.
In response, Deputy Manager of Tourism Development in the KZN Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism, M E Kheswa said they would play an important facilitation role to ensure that objectives set out by the forum were implemented and urged the forum to identify required areas of training for disabled persons.