BLIND SA HOSTED the 76TH General Assembly in Whiteriver, Mpumalanga from 19 until 21 October 2022
BLIND SA HOSTED the 76TH General Assembly in Whiteriver, Mpumalanga from 19 until 21 October 2022
25 October 2022
Blind SA, a National Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) of the blind and for the blind, with a vision to do whatever is necessary or conducive to empower blind and partially sighted people to become economically self-supporting and to live a full and meaningful life as citizens of South Africa, hosted its 76th General Assembly at the Winkler Premier Hotel in Whiteriver, Mpumalanga. There were seventy-four delegates and support staff from thirty-eight Branches from all nine provinces and the Head Office.
The purpose of this General Assembly was to report back to all Branches on the year’s happenings and come up with resolutions for the next year, while also carving a strategic pathway to help the organization grow.
The General Assembly gives Blind SA as the umbrella organization an opportunity to upskill and empower its member organisations with crucial information and governance guidance so that they can run successful Branches wherever they are. This gathering also gives Branches from around the country the opportunity to report back on their activities and learn from each other.
Friday saw delegates voting for their preferred candidates to represent them on six committees. The voting process this year was very rigorous and thorough in that it even involved the IEC who facilitated the voting process. Delegates used the specially designed Universal Ballot Template (UBT). The candidate lists was printed in braille and large print which provided total accessibility and secrecy. Mr Knox Simelani, Provincial Manager Mpumalanga IEC acknowledged the experience for him and his team which will assist the IEC in future elections in the province.
This year’s General assembly saw the voting in of the new Economic Empowerment Chairperson, Thakhani Masuka who moves from youth. The new Youth Committee Chairperson, Sabelo Hlope was also voted in. A new committee was also established to fully focus on women’s issues with Mpini Letlhage as the Chairperson.
The members listed below were elected to the various committees of Blind SA:
Executive Committee
President: Ntshavheni Netshituni – Tshwane
Vice President: Christo de Klerk – Alberton
Treasurer: Derick Greeff – Cape Town
Committees
Accessible Publications, Equipment and Assistive Devices
Chairperson: Eric Gama – Bloemfontein
Members:
Sanele Sikhakhane – Pietermaritzburg
Jonas Ndlovu – Daveyton
Kamogelo Mangoele – Chief Mogale City
Advocacy and Information
Chairperson: Andre Vosloo – Cape Town
Members:
Disky Lebese – Tzaneen
Caireen Van Der Vyver – Cape Town
Sizwe Madlala – Pietermaritzburg
Tommy Lehmkuhl – Tshwane
Economic Empowerment
Chairperson: Thakhani Masuka – Tshwane
Members:
Godfrey Lebyane – Bushbuckridge
Sello Mabusela – Bela – Bela
Reinette Moshidi – Soweto
Chris Van Der Vyver – Cape Town
Education and Early Childhood Development
Chairperson: Susan Bam – Alberton
Members:
Buti Mahlangu – Tshwane
Eric Gama – Bloemfontein
Selina Botha – Benoni
Kamohelo Mathibeli – QwaQwa
Women
Chairperson: Mpini Letlhage – Chief Mogale City
Members:
Bawinile Mdunyelwa – Pietermaritzburg
Gloria Mputla – Mokopane
Evelyn Maako – Feta Kgomo Tobatsi
Caireen Van Der Vyver – Cape Town
Martha Seane – Taung
Youth
Chairperson: Sabelo Hlope – Pietermaritzburg
Members:
Jonas Ndlovu – Benoni
Gloria Mputla – Mokopane
Disky Lebese – Tzaneen
Estelle Roos – Tshwane
For more information, contact Lebohang Tekela. pr@blindsa.org.za | 069 117 8652 | www.blindsa,org,za