The South African Library for the Blind (SALB) said that they were well received at National Book Week at Museum Africa in Newtown, Johannesburg.
“People were excited to see us there and everyone from the youth, kids, single parents and business people came to our stall to learn more about who we are,” said Busi Mbiyo, Collection Development Head for SALB.
The South African Library for the Blind (SALB) said that they were well received at National Book Week at Museum Africa in Newtown, Johannesburg.
“People were excited to see us there and everyone from the youth, kids, single parents and business people came to our stall to learn more about who we are,” said Busi Mbiyo, Collection Development Head for SALB.
According to Mbiyo, the purpose of the exhibition was to create awareness among sighted people about the challenges that blind and partially sighted people encounter on a daily basis.
“We sometimes take for granted the power to see and the exhibition highlighted this factor,” said Mbiyo. “It was good to see people being fascinated by the Braille alphabet and wanting to know how it worked.” This ties in with the SALB slogan: “Were all on the same page.”
Lulu Xingwana, the Minister of Arts and Culture was present and showed a great interest in the exhibition. She was interested to learn about SALB and the services that they offered.
For Mbiyo, the National Book Week was also a great platform to educate blind people about the services that were available to them.
“We wanted the blind community to know that they have the right to access information just like any other citizen of this country,” she said.
Mbiyo said SALB were able to reassure people that they would still be able to receive their services no matter where they are living in the country.
SALB Marketing Assistant Louise Wolmarans said that they had invited some of the schools for the blind to join in their activities but many of them were unable to get to the venue due to factors such as the strike and transport issues.
“But they were not excluded in any way from the event,” she said. Wolmarans said that the success of this year’s event has encouraged them to return again next year.
“Next year we would like to get involved in the workshop because most of the decision makers attend and we will be in a better position to spread our message,” said Mbiyo.
