Awareness, Events, Impact, In the Media, Workplace & Entrepreneurial
NCPD’s PR Team Visits Limpopo: Strengthening Community Relations and Advocacy
Feb
A Journey of Advocacy, Storytelling, and Connections
Monday, 10 February–Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Our adventure to Limpopo was more than just a work trip—it was a powerful journey of connecting, storytelling, and advocacy. With three packed days of engagement, media interviews, and inspiring encounters, our mission was clear: to document, connect, and amplify the voices of those making remarkable strides in the disability space. With cameras, notepads, and hearts full of purpose, we embarked on this mission with upbeat enthusiasm. Our team consisted of Dylan, Bernadette, Handri, Godfrey, Tanyaradzwa, Simon, Shawn, and Patricia.
Background
The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities in South Africa (NCPD) is a civil society organisation that provides services and does extensive advocacy as well as coordinates provincial offices structured as “Non-Profit Organisations” and known as the Association of and for Persons with Disabilities (APD).
There is a provincial office in all nine South African provinces, each with its affiliates, who are mandated to supply services within that province across South Africa.
For eight and a half decades, NCPD, together with our nine Associations of and for Persons with Disabilities (APDs) and their branches, has provided services and advocacy for the economic and social inclusion of persons with disabilities of all ages.
APD Limpopo, based in Polokwane, is one of the affiliate organisations, and the visit by the PR team was to offer a hand to amplify their advocacy work efforts in the region and to reinforce messages of impact to the value-add projects that the organisation is involved with.
Day 1: Arrival and Impactful Engagements
We set off from Johannesburg and arrived in Polokwane by 11 am, and the day kicked off immediately with an insightful meeting with Desiré Herb, Director: Association of and for Persons with Disabilities Limpopo (APD Limpopo), setting the tone for a productive visit.
Over steaming cups of coffee and nibbles, we delved into discussions about an upcoming “Show and Tell” event planned for March. The excitement was palpable as we explored the two-day format: first, a focused Media and Corporate Day, followed by a broader gathering for NGOs, universities, and schools. This event will serve as more than just a showcase—it will be a celebration of community achievement and a catalyst for future partnerships.
Planning session with the APD staff
We also made a tentative interview list of APD staff, board members, and residents that would be interviewed to give a glimpse into the operations and activities that made the centre tick. This engagement focused on exploring potential interviewees and video angles to bring these stories to life.
The other discussion point was the approach to the radio interviews on impactful radio stations in Polokwane to promote APD Limpopo’s work and key initiatives as well as to speak on the benefits of Casual Day fundraising and participation in the region.
Simon and Dylan led the radio media approach, ensuring that key messages about APD Limpopo and Casual Day reached a broad audience. We were set to highlight
- The incredible work of APD Limpopo, its history, and community impact.
- Independent living success stories from Centenary House.
- The importance of an adult creche for persons with learning and mental challenges. (social well-being, community of engagement, nourishment provision and recreational activities)
- APD Limpopo’s future goals and a call for community involvement.
A Glimpse into Education and Inclusion
While we left the ladies to rest, we visited the Setotolwane Elsen Secondary School, which caters to learners with visual and hearing impairments. The school is located in Mankweng Turfloop in Polokwane, just a short distance from the University of Limpopo.
The school achieved remarkable successes with a flawless 100% pass rate in both 2023 and 2024. But it was the story of Malaka Given Mamogudi that truly captured the essence of possibility. This young scholar from Ga-Malaka Village not only secured five distinctions in his matric exams in 2024 but also emerged as one of the province’s top achievers, earning his place at the University of Limpopo’s Law Faculty. He was also honoured at the national event that took place in Johannesburg for the Top Matric students.
We sat down with the school principal, Mrs. Maggie Molepo, and social worker, Ms. Tshwene Mokgokong (who is in charge of Casual Day fundraising for the school), to discuss the school’s participation in Casual Day as an opportunity for them to earn income.
Although registered as a participating school, they have been facing various security challenges with merchandise storage and theft; hence, they have been procuring Casual Day stickers and merchandise from Siloe School for the Blind. This deprives them of earning their own rebate, so discussions are afoot to solve their security challenges as the school is in dire need of funds.
Their community is very supportive, with the government and private companies supporting their efforts annually.
The school has dilapidated mobile classrooms and faces water challenges—hence the need for fundraising and sponsorship needs.
We visited the blind section of the school where a Maths lesson was in session. Walking through the school’s corridors, we encountered both inspiration and challenge. In one classroom, we watched in amazement as Grade 9 student Karabo Phaladi deftly solved mathematical problems using a tactile braille device under the guidance of Ms. Ramalobela. The class had only one of these devices for the 20-odd learners in the classroom. We were informed that the device cost in excess of R40 000! With price tags like these, we were served stark reminders of the resource gaps that still need bridging.
Next, we went to the deaf section and just greeted learners in the classroom and proceeded to girls’ dormitories to witness the needs for beds and mattresses that require replacement.
After the tour, Ms. Mokgokong casually mentioned that she’d just finished her LLB degree (law), so her dream was to combine her social work experience and law to venture into human rights advocacy (focusing on disability rights mainly). This kind of forward-thinking is a much-needed approach for the disability rights movement to gain more traction.
We then bade farewell as we were rushing to our next assignment.
University of Limpopo: Strengthening Partnerships
The afternoon took us to the University of Limpopo’s Disability Unit, where we hoped to engage for potential collaborations. The Disability Unit is eager to join Casual Day fundraising efforts—an exciting opportunity to unite students in supporting disability inclusion! The Disability Unit Director, Justice Phububje, was busy meeting up with new students, and because of the overarching time constraints, we excused each other and headed for a scheduled radio interview on the campus.
Dylan had a conversation with Mahlodi Malatji, a Turf FM radio host on the “Midday Experience Show,” and discussed the scheduled focus points.
Follow them on Facebook: Radio Turf 103.8 FM and listen live here: Radio Turf 103.8 FM
As we were leaving the Turfloop campus, we spotted a student casually sitting near the Students Centre wearing the 2024 Casual Day T-shirt. Tsholofelo Maliba is a fourth-year LLB (Law) student on an ECP programme (interesting info) that accommodates her as a person with a visual impairment.
About Extended curriculum programme (ECP)
The Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) is a mechanism supported by the national Department of Higher Education and Training, which aims to improve graduation and throughput rates of students in South African universities. Students in the ECP attend the same lectures as the other students for the registered subjects but initially take a lighter academic load and have additional academic support. The support takes the form of augmented lectures, practicals, and field trips, as well as various key skills needed for success at university level.
Thus, for ECP students, the first year is spread over two years, after which there is a focus on the normal programme. Although this means that the minimum time for completion is extended by one year, the students are more assured of success and, in our experience, generally graduate at the same time with the majority of the ‘mainstream’ counterparts who started off with a full academic load. All students get the same degree, with the same wording, regardless of whether one did the ECP or the ‘mainstream’ programme.
Closing the Day at Moletsi FM
Just after 6pm, we visited the Moletsi FM across town—just outside Polokwane in Moletsi Mabokelele, Koloti. Dylan wrapped up the day with an interview at the radio station, where he thanked Casual Day supporters and hinted at the upcoming “Show and Tell” event in March in Polokwane. Details are still being finalised. The message was unambiguous: social responsibility is not merely a catchphrase, but a call to action!
Day 2: Storytelling and Video Production
The second day was all about capturing inspiring stories. Our morning started with in-depth interviews. The interviews were spread throughout the day and focused on
- Day-care programs for persons with disabilities at APD Limpopo
- Board members sharing their advocacy journeys.
The interview list included
- Margaret Malatji (Office and Casual Day Manager at APD Limpopo)
- Nditwani Kwinda—Manager and Director of Autism Limpopo (Autism focus-and a person with autism herself)
- Social Worker: Christina Phooko (on her duties)
- Patrick Tshia-Chairperson: APD Limpopo Board
- Marina Van Eeden-President and Founder
- Mark Neil: Centenary House resident
- Antoinette Boshoff—a resident at Centenary Home
- Jupiter Nkuna—a resident at Centenary Home
- Lily Sebake—a resident at Centenary Home with Mr. Marcus Murudo, a house parent at Centenary Home—assisting with interpretation for her
- Jacoberth Matewa Sibola—an Independent resident at Christa house working at SAPS
Staff Members and Residents Interviews
On Air with Munghana Lonene FM
At 10 AM, we hit the airwaves on Munghana Lonene FM, ensuring our message reached Xitsonga-speaking communities. The “Swa Risima Show” (meaning “VALUE”) provided a platform of engagement and articulation. Despite host Khensani Nyango broadcasting from Johannesburg, the seamless coordination with producer Khulani “Mrs. Kulie” Hobyane in Polokwane created a dialogue about disability rights and inclusion.
In 2023, the Casual Day team visited SABC Limpopo to hand over a Certification of Recognition and gifts as tokens of appreciation for slot allocations, which gives great media exposure to the Casual Day fundraising campaign. It is very important for Casual Day to recognise partners and participants, hence the “Show and Tell” events being hosted in major cities after Casual Day campaigns: to acknowledge the entire community as well as reveal the year’s theme and the previous amounts raised by everyone’s efforts.
The Station Manager, Florina Sebola, immediately recognised us in the corridors and connected us to the Thobela FM disability show (Sedibeng) presenter, Mokgadi Matlebjane, who pledged to involve us on her Friday shows. We were also gifted with individual T-shirts from the Thobela FM Gospel Music extravaganza. Talk about fellowship!
The first follow-up telephonic interview took place a few days later as Dylan spoke to Mokgadi focusing on the historical background of NCPD. The NCPD team is looking forward to future collaborations with the show to further content provision needs.
Showcasing APD Limpopo’s Facilities
Back at the APD centre, a walk-through of Centenary House gave us insights into how independent living is changing lives. We captured interviews and marketing content for:
- The guesthouse and catering facilities.
- Accessible transport services, featuring heartfelt stories from drivers and beneficiaries.
- The four residential houses are each uniquely designed to support persons with different disability needs, whether physical or intellectual, fostering a sense of community, independence, and dignity. These homes provide tailored care and accessibility features to ensure that residents can lead fulfilling lives in a safe and supportive environment.
The tour and interviews highlighted a critical yet often overlooked need: adult daycare facilities for persons with learning and mental challenges. These centres provide not just care but a vibrant community where individuals find purpose, engagement, and joy in daily activities.
APD Limpopo Conference and Accommodation Services
The Association of and for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Limpopo offers accommodation and conference facilities through their “Eeufeeshuis” facility, which provides a venue for events, catering services, and lodging, with the revenue generated supporting the residents with disabilities at the facility itself; essentially, using the venue hire to fund their care services.
Key points about APD Limpopo’s accommodation and conference facilities:
- Name: Eeufeeshuis
- Services: Accommodation, conference venue hire, catering
- Purpose: Revenue generated from the venue is used to support the residents with disabilities at the Eeufeeshuis
- Accessibility: The facilities are designed to be accessible for individuals with disabilities
The PR team really loved the clean environment as we made this place our home for the duration of our stay in Limpopo.
You can book the venue for either conferencing or as a guesthouse. For more information on any of these services, contact Margaret at (015) 291 1787.
A Special Feature on Mrs. Marina Van Eeden (soon turning 90 years old)
The highlight of our day was meeting Mrs. Marina Van Eeden, APD Limpopo’s President, who at nearly 90 years old shared her founding vision with unchanged passion. Her recollections of establishing the centre and watching it grow into a cornerstone of community support left us inspired and humbled.
She shared images and anecdotes from yesteryear, attending a tea party at Buckingham Palace at the bequest of the Queen (including holding in awe a porcelain mug for the first time in her life!) to having tea with the former President, Nelson Mandela. All this with varying degrees of somberness and lightly quipped humour!
Community Engagement: Beyond the Office
The afternoon took us into the heart of outreach programs and an agricultural project by a farmer renting land on the premises (5 hectares under greenhouses currently producing world-class peppers), showcasing how APD Limpopo creates sustainable opportunities for persons with disabilities. Two of the residents from Centenary Home are working on the farm.
Real-Life Impact: Independent Living & Success Stories
Later in the day, we met residents managing independent living and explored APD’s successful second-hand shop model (housed in two separate rooms), highlighting how entrepreneurship empowers persons with disabilities.
The Workshop and Crèche Setup
An impromptu interview with the House Parent and Creche Coordinator, Barbara Weale, touched on the various activities for adults at the day centre.
Revisiting Turf FM
Later in the day, Dylan and Godfrey (SABC staff member and a colleague) revisited Turf FM to meet the Station Manager, Peter Maluleka, and they had a discussion that will see an MOU signed between NCPD and Turf FM for media partnerships.
We capped the evening with a traditional braai, laughing and sharing personal yesteryear stories.
Day 3: Wrapping Up & Looking Forward
Our final day started with an exclusive morning interview with APD’s director, Desire Herb, covering future goals and donor acknowledgements. We also interviewed Mirinda Kruger—the kitchen and Accommodation Manager.
We also interviewed Stephen Du Plooy and Sybrand Verwey—residents at Centenary Home working at the farm who enthusiastically explained their daily chores and responsibilities
The highlight after this interview was the volunteer-led music therapy session with beneficiaries—pure joy and connection in action!
We spent the rest of the morning gathering final interviews and capturing additional footage before heading back home, energised and inspired by the incredible work being done in Limpopo.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Visit
This wasn’t just another PR trip—it was a deep dive into the heart of advocacy, inclusion, and empowerment.
As we gathered our final footage and prepared for departure, we reflected on the wealth of stories, connections, and insights gathered over these three days. Our documentation had captured not just activities and achievements, but the spirit of a community dedicated to creating an inclusive society.
The success of our visit could be measured in multiple ways:
- Strengthened media partnerships through three major radio station engagements
- Documented success stories that will inspire others and attract support
- Captured the tangible impact of Casual Day fundraising on facilities and programs
- Established groundwork for the upcoming “Show and Tell” event
- Created content that will serve to educate and motivate others in the disability sector
Yet perhaps the most significant achievement was less tangible: we had helped amplify voices that too often go unheard and shine a light on the remarkable work being done in Limpopo to create a more inclusive society.
As our team packed up our equipment and bid farewell to the warm hearts of Limpopo, we carried with us not just stories and footage, but a renewed commitment to our mission. The upcoming “Show and Tell” event in March presents an ideal opportunity to disseminate these stories to a wider audience, thereby perpetuating the impact of our visit.
Our three days in Limpopo reaffirmed a fundamental truth: when we collaborate to generate opportunities, the potential for positive change is boundless. The journey of inclusion is ongoing, but with dedicated organisations like APD Limpopo leading the way, the path forward is clear and promising.
Limpopo Trip Overview
#InclusionMatters #CasualDay2025 #APDLimpopo #NCPDInAction
Compiled by Bernadette Rigney and Simon Manda