MEC DIEKETSENG MASHEGO COMMANDS LIMPOPO: FIRST MASSIVE WHITE CANE WALK & HISTORIC HANDOVER OF 65 ASSISTIVE DEVICES
- Mpho Dube
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Trailblazer Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego ...
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian
In a thunderous display of leadership and compassion, MEC Dieketseng Mashego ignited the province with the inaugural White Cane Big Walk, a landmark event that fused high‑profile advocacy, grassroots empowerment, and a bold promise to restore dignity to Limpopo’s visually‑impaired community.
Under the blazing theme “Love Your Eyes – The White Cane Restores Your Dignity Because It Ensures Your Destination,” the walk surged from SABC Park to Jack Botes Hall, turning the city’s streets into a river of hope. MEC Mashego, alongside fellow MEC Jerry Maseko, dozens of government officials, partners, and citizens, walked blindfolded, guided by assistants, to feel the daily hurdles faced by the blind. The sight of the MEC herself stepping into darkness, cane in hand, sent a powerful message: no one is left behind.
At the climactic ceremony, MEC Mashego officially handed over 65 brand‑new white canes, the first wave of a 300‑device procurement that also includes liquid‑level indicators, money sticks, and signature guides. “The white cane is not merely a walking aid, it is a symbol of independence, safety, and restored dignity,” Mashego thundered. “When we give someone a white cane, we are not giving charity – we are giving freedom.”
The initiative is the product of a powerful alliance: Limpopo Health, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Polokwane Municipality, Office of the Premier, and the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB). Together they have turned a once‑silent struggle into a nation‑wide call for inclusion.
Colleagues and students across the province hailed Mashego as an inspiration. “Her dedication shows that leadership and learning go hand‑in‑hand. She’s proof that you can be a politician and still prioritize education – a message our youth need to hear.”
The department will now embed Orientation and Mobility Instructors into its public rehab services, a breakthrough enabled by upcoming HPCSA registration from 1 January 2026. This will slash the waiting list of over a hundred clients and finally bring specialized training to Limpopo’s doorstep.
Mashego closed with a rallying cry: “Our Constitution promises equality and human dignity for all. Today’s walk is not just symbolic; it is a step toward fulfilling that promise. Together, we can build a society where no one is left behind.”
Comments