In Focus

Self-taught artist uses creativity to support family after mother’s amputation

When Ricollin Moodley’s mother underwent a life-saving leg amputation, the self-taught artist from Shelly Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast turned to his creativity to support his family, using unconventional materials like lipstick, spices and coffee to create art. What began as a desperate response to poverty has grown into the family’s main source of […]

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How a Recycled Shipping Container is Transforming Special Needs Care in Orange Farm

In the News / Disability Connect

In the community of Orange Farm, a unique project has transformed a shipping container into a specialised “sensory room” designed to support children with neurodiverse needs, such as autism and ADHD. Launched by the non-profit Afrika Tikkun in partnership with Sensory-Space, this facility at the Arekopaneng Centre is the first of its kind in an

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Action in Autism Announces Initiatives for World Autism Acceptance Month

Association of the month / Admin

Embracing the rallying call of “Nothing About us, without us,” Action in Autism is putting neurodiversity at the heart of its mission. As part of its dedicated acceptance and action campaign, the organisation has curated a series of programs in Durban designed to champion the rights of autistic individuals and their families throughout World Autism

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Prioritising Disability Inclusion in Higher Education

In Focus / Disability Connect

In a call for structural reform, Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela recently challenged African universities to move beyond symbolic gestures and embed disability inclusion into their institutions. Speaking at the Times Higher Education Africa Universities Summit in Nairobi, Manamela revealed a sobering statistic: as of 2023, students with disabilities accounted for just 1.3% of total

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How Autism Went from Misunderstood to Embraced

Association of the month / Disability Connect

The history of autism is a profound narrative of scientific evolution, moving from the shadows of psychiatric misunderstanding into the light of developmental diversity. Over the last century, the medical community’s perception of autism has undergone a radical transformation, shifting from a perceived symptom of “childhood schizophrenia” to a widely recognised spectrum that defines a

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From Paralysis to Purpose: Kate Malope’s Journey of Inclusion and Impact

Disability Spotlight / Hannah Thorpe

Kate Malope’s life changed 14 years ago after a devastating car accident left her paralysed. In an instant, she lost her mobility, career, fiancé, and home. The adjustment to life in a wheelchair brought intense physical and emotional challenges, including relearning basic daily tasks and coping with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite this, Malope

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Understanding autism during Autism Acceptance Month

In Focus / Admin

April is Autism Acceptance Month and focuses on building a deeper understanding of autism and what inclusion really means. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, processes information, and experiences the world. It is called a spectrum because it presents differently in every individual. Many people

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Inclusive education moves forward with focus on access and support

In the News / Disability Connect

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has taken another step toward strengthening inclusive education in South Africa. An Inclusive Education Stakeholders’ Meeting was held on 9 March 2026 at the DBE Conference Centre in Pretoria under the theme “Every Learner Matters.” The session brought together government officials and partner organisations to improve coordination and expand

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Losing a Leg, Finding Life: A Story of Resilience and Perspective

Disability Spotlight / Disability Connect

At just 19, Lerato Moletsane’s life changed in a way few people can imagine. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, she was faced with a difficult decision. The only way to stop the cancer from spreading was to amputate her leg. It was a life-altering moment, one that could easily have

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Building Pathways to Work for People With Intellectual Disabilities in South Africa

Disability, In Focus / Admin

Access to employment plays a crucial role in promoting independence, dignity, and social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities in South Africa. While national unemployment rates remain concerningly high, structured support programmes and inclusive employers are creating pathways into the workforce that recognise individual strengths and workplace support. The Department of Employment and Labour promotes

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