CAPE TOWN-The blind and visually impaired residents in Grassy Park were honoured during a pedestrian safety initiative held at The League of Friends of the Blind (Lofob) on Tuesday 7 October. It was organised by the Western Cape Government and attended by the City of Cape Town Traffic Services, the Lofob members as well of the police.
To mark the occasion a new blind safety road sign was erected near First Road. Lofob is a non-governmental organisation that caters to the needs of blind and visually impaired individuals.
They have been based in Grassy Park since 1933. Ward 72 Councillor Kevin Southgate opened the event by highlighting the need to raise awareness among motorists about the needs and rights of visually impaired individuals.
To mark the occasion a new blind safety road sign was erected on First road near The League of Friends of the Blind (LOFOB). Photos: Keanan Harmse. 
Road were blocked off so that blind and visually impaired residents could cross safely. 
Western Cape Mobility Minister, Isaac Sileku addressing the guests. 
City of Cape Town Traffic Services seen installing the new road safety signage. 
Benita Peterson, Manager of Youth and Adult Services at The League of Friends of the Blind, speaking at the event. 
Members of SAPS and the City of Cape Town Traffic Services helped control traffic to ensure the blind and visually impaired residents could walk across safety to the new road safety sign.
“The initiative is a testament to your commitment, minister, in ensuring mobility is inclusive and accessible to all. The unveiling of this visible signage to enhance road safety and accessibility for the blind and the visually impaired,” he said.
Benita Peterson, Manager of Youth and Adult Services at Lofob, spoke about the unique and daily challenges that impact the safety of the blind. “These are some of the key issues that impact our clients through interviews: firstly they mentioned that in some areas there are no pavements, no roads, there are no tactile markings, there’s construction, litter, potholes, open drains, land holes and parked cars on walkways which all create safety hazards and impede independence.”
She also mentioned there’s a lack of significant signage and public transport structures like bus or taxi stops to identify when the blind or visually impaired are taking the bus.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku stressed the importance of understanding the needs and challenges of the blind and visually impaired and how we neglect the gift of mobility in our everyday lives.
“Its a privilege to be here with an organisation that has served this community since 1933. To the residents of Grassy Park who will see this signage I want to say, road safety is a shared responsibility, so the sooner we can realise this the sooner we can make everyone safer. If you need to help someone cross the road, please do that and let us stop being selfish and impatient.”
People’s Post also spoke with Lofob resident Joy McCarthy who shared her daily challenges. She was raised in Factreton.
“I’ve been at Lofob for four years now. It’s sometimes challenging when people have homes whose driveways lead off into the sidewalk and people put massive rocks there sometimes to prevent other motorists from parking there.
“Drain covers are also non-existent and you also find vehicles that park on the pavement, so we have to go onto the road, around the car and back onto the pavement. We need more drainage covers and clear sidewalks as well as walkways for the blind and wheelchair users. It will also be great to have more tactile pavements,” she said.
