Nelson Mandela Square came alive with light and laughter on the evening of 29 August 2019 in celebration of diversity and inclusivity at the Casual Day 2019 launch.
Casual Day will be celebrated on 6 September this year. It’s the flagship fundraising platform of the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD). Casual Day is an annual event celebrated every year on the first Friday in September. It marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Flow’s PR team organised the event, which was well supported by the public, on behalf of the NCPD and its supporters, who include 4 000 businesses, 400 NGOs, 500 schools, and 650 public-sector departments and agencies.
On the night, persons with disabilities entertained Nelson Mandela Square patrons with song, dance and poetry recitals. MC Hloni Mothopeng had everyone dancing and singing along, while the kids made the most of trampolines at the venue. People bought and waved bright neon glow sticks as a reminder of this year’s Casual Day theme, “Time to Shine with Persons with Disabilities”, and to show their support for a fully inclusive society for all South Africans.
“Casual Day is now a firm fixture on the national calendar,” said NCPD national director Therina Wentzel-Du Toit. “It’s the day that millions and millions of South Africans wear a Casual Day sticker to support persons with disabilities and the work of NCPD.”
Flow public relations account executive Mohau Ravhudzulo, who attended the event, said the evening was a whopping success, and great fun to organise. “Nelson Mandela Square patrons and tenants gave Casual Day great support. It was a blast of an evening and a true celebration of diversity and the amazing strength of the human spirit.
“Our deep and sincere thanks to the management at Nelson Mandela Square for hosting the event at no charge. It was an incredibly generous gesture,” she said.
Casual Day is as much about raising money as it is about raising awareness for the inclusion of persons with disabilities into mainstream society.
Although the South African Constitution affords all citizens equal rights, it’s a reality that many persons with disabilities are denied their right to education, social justice, community engagement, public transport and infrastructure.
Nelson Mandela Square is leading by example, with tenants and management championing inclusivity, Wentzel-Du Toit said.
Every South African is encouraged to buy a R10 Casual Day sticker to show their support for persons with disabilities. Stickers are available at Edgars, Edgars Active, Jet, Jetmart, CNA, Boardmans, Game, DionWired, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Alpha Pharm or Express Stores nationwide.
Or you can buy a Casual Day digital sticker by sending an SMS (costs R10) to 38224 (free and bundled SMS packages don’t qualify). Find out more on the Casual Day website, http://www.casualday.co.za/.
Last year R34-million was raised for persons with disabilities, and this year the target is even higher.
