KARIEGA – A call for a permanent disability centre in Kariega was at the heart of the “Thisability Ambassador” event held at the Kariega Town Hall on 12 September, where Apostle Reece Moses shared his vision of establishing an academy to provide skills development and opportunities for people living with disabilities.

Moses, who is a pastor from Spiritual Specialist Apostolic Prophet Movement, who became blind in 2005, said disability should not prevent people from achieving their goals.

“To be disabled is not about your race or faith, it is about your disability.”

He shared his dream with his wife of six years, Letisha Moses, as they seek to create a safe space where people with disabilities can develop their talents and become more independent.

Despite rainy weather and what Moses described as limited local support, people with disabilities and invited guests attended the event, which aimed to highlight challenges faced by people with disabilities and promote their abilities.

Reece said the event was intended to show people with disabilities that they are important and capable of making a difference in their communities.

A key focus of the event was the proposed establishment of a permanent disability centre or academy in Kariega.

Reece has continued to pursue ballroom dancing despite losing his sight. He said he wants to use his experiences to encourage other people with disabilities to believe they can achieve their goals.

“I believe that the centre would provide a safe and welcoming space where people with disabilities could develop practical skills and participate in arts, culture and recreation. This academy could offer opportunities in professional ballroom dancing, cooking, DJ-ing, sewing and other forms of skills development.”

He said that several local people with disabilities already have skills that could contribute to such an academy. Among them is Joan Sauls, who has skills as a chef despite using a wheelchair.

Yaeesh “Yaeeshmo” Mohammed has DJ skills, while Veronica Petrus makes curtains and bags. Reece would be able to teach ballroom dancing to others and his wife can teach those with disabilities, her singing techniques.

Reece also highlighted the need for accommodation and safe spaces for people with disabilities and homeless people.

“Some people with disabilities are living in difficult circumstances, with some being forced to live in backyards because of a lack of suitable housing. People with disabilities also struggle to find employment and many families cannot afford caregivers.”

Reece said the proposed centre could also include a feeding scheme to assist vulnerable members of the community.

He recalled providing Bibles and food to more than 40 people who visited his home on Christmas, which is also Letisha’s birthday.

He said the experience highlighted a further need for clothing and basic care packages containing items such as T-shirts, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap.

Reece said the movement should eventually expand beyond Kariega and reach people with disabilities in other parts of South Africa.

He appealed to businesses, government and community members to assist with transport, funding and other resources needed to grow the movement.

“I applied for funding in 2025 but had not received the support or feedback I had hoped for.”

He said the immediate priorities were securing a permanent building for the proposed disability academy and obtaining reliable transport to help people with disabilities access activities, services and opportunities.

For Reece, the building would provide more than just a physical space.

“It must be a place of hope. The academy could become a place where people with disabilities feel that they belong while gaining practical experience and learning skills that could help them become more independent. The movement should show that disability does not define a person’s potential. Those with disabilities can also become mayor,” he said.

He said the ultimate goal was to turn the disability movement into a recognised brand that could create opportunities for people with disabilities across South Africa.

Letisha also called for greater awareness and support for the movement, saying people need to know about it before they can become involved.

For the couple, the 12 September event was an important step towards creating greater visibility for people with disabilities.

They said the next step was to secure the resources needed to turn the vision into reality, with a permanent building and transport remaining key priorities for the disability movement.

For more information, contact the couple on 083 390 5994 or send an email to Mosesletisha031@gmail.com.

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