In a world rapidly embracing technology to make life more convenient, some individuals with impairments and disabilities remain excluded from mainstream society, says Anza Tshilidzi, a blind participant who made history in the Funda Mzansi reading competition.
IN A WORLD rapidly embracing technology to make life more convenient, some individuals with impairments and disabilities remain excluded from mainstream society, said Anza Tshilidzi, a participant in the Funda Mzansi reading competition.
Tshilidzi, a member of the Emang Mmogo Book Club in Kimberley, made headlines as the first blind participant in the competition’s English impromptu reading category.
The competition’s goal is to foster a culture of reading across society.
Tshilidzi competed against book club members from across the country, university students, school learners, and inmates from various correctional facilities.
Having lost her sight at 10 months old due to measles, she said her love for reading motivated her to enter the competition.
“When the Funda Mzansi competition came around, I decided to grab the opportunity as a way of motivating the learners I teach. It also helps keep me informed and my mind sharp. Reading stimulates the mind. I was not born blind and had to overcome many challenges from a young age. This competition was one of the little victories I overcame for those living with impairments,” she said.
Tshilidzi said she never imagined making history as the first blind person to read in braille at the competition.
She explained that the provincial elimination process helped prepare her for the national event.
“To qualify for the Funda Mzansi championship, participants must belong to a book club. We had to go through elimination competitions held in different districts across the Northern Cape. I successfully completed the elimination process and was selected to represent the Province in the Spelling Bee, Reading in English, Debating in English, and Book Review in English categories.
“My main aim was not to get an award but to motivate the younger children. Although I did not get a position, I managed to reach my goal, which was to bring awareness to how the blind or those with visual impairments should not be excluded from such competitions,” she said.
Tshilidzi advised those living with visual impairments to be their own advocates when facing challenges.
“Change begins with you. Other people are there to support or assist you. I see challenges as mere obstacles that I have to overcome. If I have to ponder the challenges and not address them, I will never achieve anything.
“One cannot isolate yourself and not push yourself towards your goal. Those living with disabilities or any impairments should not become their own stumbling blocks. Some disabled people sabotage themselves and do not have the tenacity to achieve anything in life. They throw in the towel and do not see themselves as worthy. Along your journey, you will find those who will assist you in reaching your goal. One never has to become demotivated and give up.”
Reflecting on her journey, Tshilidzi shared that it was far from easy, but now she not only motivates others to avoid self-pity but also educates communities on how to assist those living with disabilities.
“As I grew up, I faced a lot of challenges. I had to live in a boarding school throughout my entire schooling career. Even today, as an adult, we still face challenges as the world is not equipped with technology to help the blind. At times, when I find myself walking around, I might find myself walking into a ditch as there will be holes dug by municipal workers. Even the traffic lights do not make a sound to indicate when it is safe for a blind person to cross the road. We have to rely on the help of community members.
“I have been fortunate that whenever I asked for help, I was able to get assistance. However, we have heard of other disabled people who have not been so fortunate.”
Access to basic information is another daily challenge for the visually impaired, Tshilidzi added.
“Having access to books in braille is a huge challenge. I have also found that there are no posters printed in braille at government and private facilities. Yet, those posters contain important information that is also relevant to those with visual impairments. Most information is neither in braille nor in audio.
“The time we did the book review at the Funda Mzansi competition, the book we had to review was not in braille. The books had to be read to me. I, however, commend the organisers as they have realised that it is something that needs to be addressed.
“If society can identify the errors that make life challenging for those with visual impairments, we will not have to use words like inclusive, and we can all just be members of society who are not judged by their impairments,” Tshilidzi said.
