To support our Children’s Programme this December SMS SUPPORT to 32655 and click to donate R20 on Zapper

Jonathan Juliun Groenewald is better known as 2J Harmonix. He explains that this name comes from the fact that his first names both begin with “J” – thus 2J – and Harmonix comes from the word “harmonics”, the science of musical sounds, alluding to his passion for rap music.

Fakazile Daphney Twala, aka Daphney, was born in Limpopo. She’s the fourth of five children and has three brothers and a sister. Daphney is the only one in her family to be born with a disability, but this firecracker has not let this slow her down. She is an accomplished poet, with a published poetry book under her belt called Purposely Designed, and is also an ambassador for Nappy Run.

Julius Van Der Wat is 41 years old, although he says he’s getting younger by the day. One of five children, he has a twin brother and three other brothers. Julius is also a Nappy Run ambassador. “Being a Nappy Run ambassador is a great honour to me because I am a part of the campaign that is changing people’s perception of nappies and the people who have to wear nappies beyond babyhood.”

Leandré Kibido is 17 years old and lives in Eersterust, near Tshwane. Like many young women her age, she enjoys music. In fact, she says it “lives within” and is her motivation in life. She enjoys a wide variety of genres, including hip hop and house. She also loves to dance and has been part of a dance academy previously.

Silomuzi Ngubane, aka Silo, is 18 years old. He’s the youngest of three, with an older brother and sister, and loves soccer. Silo is also an ambassador for Nappy Run

Today saw the Ellen Glen for Special Needs Centre in Snake Park, Soweto, celebrating being the recipient of a handover which included much-needed nappies and other essential healthcare products.

As stated by UNICEF, the first 1000 days of a child’s life are vital in establishing the foundation for the rest of the child’s development going forward. The importance of correct care and stimulation during this period is therefore crucial, and especially so for children with disabilities, who are often overlooked when it comes to Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes. 

Youth Day, on 16 June, is a celebration of our country’s most precious jewels, our children. The Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005) is the only legislation available to ensure for the care and protection of our children, who are naturally society’s most vulnerable group. 

With the recent celebration of International Wheelchair Day, it is pertinent to consider the importance of this assistive device. More than just a nice-to-have, a wheelchair is in many cases a lifeline for persons with disabilities. The severe under-delivery of these critical assistive devices by the government health care system, is detrimental to the lives of many persons with disabilities.