The daily provision of critical assistance to persons with disabilities in two outlying areas of Durban is
back on track for a Chatsworth-based organization, thanks to the R615 000 sponsorship of two brand
new vehicles, which has massively eased the strain on its service resources.
Although the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (KwaZulu-Natal) (APD) receives a
subsidy from the Department of Social Development, this covers only basic salary needs and makes
no provision for any additional costs. Having lost one of its seven vehicles to theft and another
rendered extremely unreliable due to its almost 20 years of operations, the financially challenged
APD found its home service in jeopardy – until the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT)
donated two new vehicles recently, transforming the functions and reach of APD’s team of 15 social
and auxiliary workers.
Commenting on its intervention, SAMCT representative, Mr. Gaff Osman, said: “APD’s team relies
daily on vehicles to meet with disabled clients and to visit clinics. Providing safe and reliable
transport is crucial for the vital services they provide disadvantaged people with disabilities and who
otherwise lack access to necessary resources, especially, as the team’s work takes them into under-
served rural areas with poor road infrastructure.”
APD’s Chatsworth staff travel to the rural areas in the south and to the Hammarsdale and Inchanga
precincts, while its Phoenix staff service the northern regions of Ndwedwe, Inanda, Stanger and
Umzinyathi.
Established in 1967, APD provides a free service to persons with disabilities and has made
tremendous strides in establishing projects and developing programmes to reach out to, especially,
marginalized persons with disabilities.
“Sadly in this country, many people with disabilities continue experiencing barriers to access and
participation, which makes the most laudable outreach work APD performs all the more valuable.
The lack of such services is a major challenge and the needs in Durban’s outlying areas are great. It
was for this reason that the SAMCT was especially pleased to respond positively to APD’s appeal for
vehicular assistance,” Mr. Osman said.
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al
Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The
organization provides funding, services and other resources for the improvement of the lives of the
vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has been singularly successful in delivering sizeable
assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work
to support needy organizations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation
and education.
He added: “We believe APD’s community service to people with disabilities to be essential. However,
for it to continue and grow, it is necessary to have the correct tools in place. Restoring the
organization’s vehicle fleet to full strength comprises one of those tools, beter enabling it to meet its
developmental goals and community service responsibilities into the future,” Mr. Osman said.