The historic initiative, which got off the ground at an event on Saturday in Albert Park in Durban, is aimed at engaging disabled men and boys in all spheres of life to act as exemplary ambassadors in the rooting out of domestic violence.
"This initiative seeks to encourage disabled men to develop themselves as caring and supportive partners of women ... through effective participation in international, national, provincial and local disabled men's campaign for health, economic development and job creation activities as well as cultural or customary orientation," said chairperson of the KZN Disabled People South Africa, Sipho Gamede.
The programme also aims to support disabled men and boys at risk and those needing special care in institutions and communities through Disabled Real Men Community Based Rehabilitation.
Provincial Finance MEC Ina Cronje, who also attended the launch, applauded the initiative as its major objectives included up-skilling men with disabilities, promoting financial literacy and a culture of saving, and creating job opportunities.
She pledged to support the initiative by offering training and financial literacy support through the KwaZulu-Natal Financial Literacy Association and encouraged men with disabilities to believe in themselves and to always aim high.
"Real disabled men can save their hard earned money, they can take a lead in issues of finance and with an initiative like this one, this team can take a lead and end up teaching those who are regarded as 'abled' to save and to manage their finances properly," Cronje said.
Launch organiser S'busiso Xaba noted that many disabled men were unemployed and received government's disability grant. This initiative, therefore, would be a powerful tool in encouraging the disabled to save money.
"We are keen to partner with many organisations to establish 'July Disabled Men Fund' to assist the disabled with the little that they have and to be part of national wealth creation," said Xaba.
