In September of this year, 43 people with disabilities were given an opportunity which many of them thought would never be a reality. They were chosen to be part of the SADDT – WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SETA LEARNERSHIP!

A learnership is a training programme that requires a person to attend theoretical training however, of even greater significance, is the experiential learning where learners are placed in business to apply the knowledge that they have acquired. To make the book-learning real and meaningful! The 43 learners have been placed in the retail environments of Massdiscounters (Game), The Foshini Group and Waltons where they will experience the entire ambit of the retail world – from administration, merchandising to assisting customers on the floor.

For most of the learners, this is their first foray into formal employment – and they are loving it! And the employers are thoroughly enjoying having them there – due primarily to their enthusiasm and joy at being in a working environment.

While some of the learners have real challenges - such as wheelchair users who are struggling to access suitable transport to the learning and work venues, as stated by Sthembiso Ngema (a quadriplegic from Hillcrest):

Today was my first time at work at Foschini Pine Town. It was good, the only thing that is still stressing is the transport. As i have said i will do everything in power to see this through.... Thank you so much dear....

On visiting Sthembiso on his second day in-store, I was greeted with a beaming smile and a young man who was bubbling to tell me what he had already accomplished…. on his first day! His mentor had come in, despite being on leave, to make sure that he was welcomed and orientated. While Sthembiso will undoubtedly be learning a great deal in the weeks and months ahead – so too will the staff and general public with whom he will be interacting. They will learn that people with disabilities are not to be defined by their disabilities – that they are capable of fulfilling any role or task that is assigned to them. People with disabilities have learnt to be resilient and are not easily defeated.

So, in the year ahead, there are bound to be a few issues, however, what is equally evident is that there will be 43 people whose lives have been irrevocably changed – who will have acquired new skills,

new confidence and the knowledge that they CAN! For the rest of us, we will have learnt that so many of the challenges that we face and which paralyse us, are really surmountable and hopefully we will face these grateful that they are comparatively so small.

Article supplied by Shirlee Caffyn-Parsons - Facilitator