KZN Blind and Deaf Society celebrates 90 years of compassion, commitment and consistency

The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society marked a remarkable milestone with an elegant and memorable 90th anniversary masquerade gala dinner, held at the Imbizo Conference Centre at Sibaya, recently. The milestone celebration brought together supporters, donors, sponsors, staff, volunteers, friends, and stakeholders to honour nine decades of dedicated service to people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. The evening celebrated the organisation’s rich history, achievements and the many individuals, who have contributed to its enduring legacy. Guests enjoyed an entertaining programme featuring performances by the talented KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra, renowned performer, Prof Chats Devroop, and a spellbinding magic show by Mo Magic, who also served as the evening’s charismatic master of ceremonies. Addressing guests, president of the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society, Mrs Veetha Sewkuran reflected on the organisation’s remarkable 90-year journey, highlighting the theme that has come to define the anniversary celebrations: Compassion, Commitment and Consistency. ALSO READ: A happy ‘tail’ of community service for visually impaired couple “For nine decades, the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society has remained steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of people, who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind,” she said. Through its wide range of programmes and services, the organisation continues to promote empowerment, independence, education, rehabilitation, skills development, and inclusion. The anniversary celebration also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of sustained community support in enabling the organisation to continue its work and expand its impact across KwaZulu-Natal. A major highlight of the evening was the official launch of the organisation’s 90th anniversary commemorative book. The publication chronicles the organisation’s extraordinary journey since its establishment in 1936, capturing its history, the people who have shaped its development and the impact of its work over the decades. The book serves not only as a record of the past, but also as a reminder of the organisation’s ongoing responsibility to build a more inclusive society in which people with visual and hearing disabilities are empowered to participate fully and independently. The gala dinner was therefore more than a celebration of longevity. It was a tribute to resilience, service and the countless lives touched by the organisation throughout its 90-year history. The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society expressed its heartfelt appreciation to all its supporters, donors, sponsors, staff and volunteers whose generosity, commitment and belief in its mission contributed to the success of the anniversary celebrations. As the organisation looks towards the future, its 90th anniversary stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when compassion is matched with commitment and sustained through consistency. Ninety years of making a difference. Ninety years of changing lives. Ninety years of ‘Compassion, Commitment and Consistency’.