MOTHER CITY READY TO HOST WBU SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

By Rene Bosman

THE pulsating rhythms of an Africa band and a magnificent view of Table Mountain illuminated by thousands of street lights from below provided the perfect backdrop for the launching of the 6 th General Assembly of the World Blind Union (WBU) set to take place in the city from 6 – 10 December this year. The General Assembly will be preceded by the Africa Union of the Blind (AFUB) Women’s Forum (29 – 30 November), the 5 th General Assembly of AFUB, the World Blind Women’s Forum (3 and 4 December) and the WBU 6 th General Assembly (6 – 10 December).

Between 800 – 1200 delegates and observers from over160 member countries are expected to converge on the mother city during that time.

The launch was co-hosted by the City of Cape Town, the SA National Council for the Blind (SANCB) and the League of the Friends of the Blind(Lofob) at the Civic Centre. Representatives of the WBU as well as AFUB joined 200 other guests in the festivities.

Guests were welcomed by Philip Bam, General Manager of the WBU organising committee and Executive Director of Lofob. In his address, the chairperson of the SANCB, Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob, said that while he doubted whether the General Assembly will have a great impact on the economy of the country, he is absolutely certain that it will have an enormous impact on the people of South Africa – in particular the blind community.

He warned that if blind and partially sighted people are not part of the planning and organising of the General Assembly that he would personally consider the General Assembly as an “utter failure”.

“It is of great importance that the General Assembly has and impact on South African society – especially in terms of advocacy. The General Assembly must create a better understanding, awareness and interest in the blind people of South Africa . Blind people must be seen as human beings – if that can be accomplished, we have taken a huge stride forward.”

The Executive Director of the SANCB, Dr. William Rowland – who is also Second Vice President of the WBU and chairperson of the Organising Committee – said that he was both proud and exhilarated about the fact that South Africa won the bid to host the 6 th General Assembly of the WBU.

He took guests on an historic journey, highlighting the role that Louis Braille has played in the lives of millions of blind people around the globe.

“Imagine yourselves in the shop of a saddler in a small village east of Paris in the early 1900. Playing on the ground of his father’s shop is a small boy with a tooling knife. Suddenly the knife slips and the boy cuts his eye. As a result of that injury his eyes are infected and he eventually becomes blind.”

“Little over a year ago, senior officers of the WBU gathered in the house where Louis grew up for the very first time. Philip Bam and I presented our bid document and where then asked to recuse ourselves, while the rest of the group deliberated. We returned to the hearty congratulations of our colleagues and realized that a great moment has dawned for blind people in South Africa .”

During the General Assembly the WBU’s progress over the past four years will be discussed, a new constitution will be adopted, resolutions on the way forward will be drafted and new office-bearers will be elected. Dr. Rowland has been nominated by South Africa as Presidential candidate. The treasurer of the WBU, Dr. Geoff Gibbs, brought greetings from the WBU President Kicki Nordstrom and said that he was equally proud of South Africa for winning the bid. According to him this is another way in which the world is acknowledging South Africa ’s place on the world stage.

In his address, the special guest speaker, Acting Executive Mayor of Cape Town , Councillor Saleem Mowzer said it is a great honour for Cape Town to host and be associated with the WBU General Assembly and Women’s Forum as well as the AFUB General Assembly and Women’s Conference.

“I commend you all for your excellent work in promoting the human rights of blind people and in fostering greater consciousness throughout the world about the challenges that confront blind and partially sighted people.

“In so doing you are in the forefront of promoting the human rights of all people with disabilities. You subscribe to a rich ethos and value system that is making our world and its societies a better one.”

According to Mowzer, the 6 th General Assembly, which coincides with the tenth anniversary of South Africa 's democracy, will enhance the importance of human rights and dignity by reaffirming the country’s solidarity with people of the world who continually struggle in the face of adversity.

“As African people with a long history of struggle against the forces of colonialism, slavery and apartheid, we fully comprehend the harshness of being denied our fundamental rights and personal dignity.”

He emphasized the leading role the South African government has played in recognising the human rights of all citizens.

“Human rights is firmly entrenched in our Constitution, which affords everyone dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. We believe that human rights and dignity are not only about race, religion, class or gender. But that it is all-inclusive and extends to the human rights and dignity of people with disabilities …,” he said.

With the official proceedings coming to an end, guests prepared themselves for an evening of sharing great food, wine, ideas, aspirations and expectations …