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City gets the wheels turning for residents with disabilities

25 October 2016

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© City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town commenced entrepreneurship training for 16 people with disabilities on Monday 17 October 2016 as part of the Social Development and Early Childhhod Development Directorate’s Vulnerable Groups Programme. The training programme will run until 28 October 2016 and is taking place at the Silvertown Community Centre in Bridgetown.

Beneficiaries were identified via the City’s subcouncils and come from all parts of Cape Town, including Kraaifontein, Hout Bay, Strand, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Retreat, Athlone, Bonteheuwel and Gugulethu.​

The training takes participants through the ins and outs of starting your own enterprise, such as:

  • how to profit from a home business
  • supply and demand
  • marketing and pricing
  • basic financial statements and business plans 
Further to this, the beneficiaries are receiving training in the basics of wheelchair repairs, including:

  • the different parts of a fold-up wheelchair and tools to be used
  • ​disassembling and reassembling 
  • safety​
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© City of Cape Town

At the end of the training period, each candidate will receive a start-up kit in order to kick-start their own business repairing wheelchairs. They will also be mentored for a period of three months. The kit will include spanners, screwdrivers, a drill, a rivet punch, a hacksaw, a vice grip, and other tools used in the industry. 

‘The beauty of this programme is that it does not interact with disabled residents as passive recipients, but rather gives them the skills they need to become more self-sufficient.

‘Running your own business presents a number of unique challenges, but also gives entrepreneurs more flexibility as well as more control over their work environment – both major positives for people with mobility challenges.

​​​​"We are certain that by providing the necessary training, we can harness their drive to succeed and help them to make a positive difference in their families and communities."​ Suzette LittleCity Mayoral Committee Member: Social Development and Early Childhood Development


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