07 September 2012
Casual Day is a FUNdraising project benefiting persons with disabilities. Each year South Africans dress differently on the first Friday of September and wear the Casual Day sticker to show their support for persons with disabilities.
Casual Day is South Africa's foremost fundraising event of this nature and raises more than just money — it raises awareness about persons with disabilities, opportunities for corporate comradeship, community support and welfare organisation participation.
The purpose of it is also to ensure that funds are raised to ensure the improvement in the quality of life of Persons with Disabilities. Services to Persons with disabilities also refer to the protection and promotion of the rights of People with disabilities including social security rights.
The MEC for Social Development Mr. Alvin Botes is very passionate about Casual Day as it is meant to improve the lives of the disabled and had the the following to say I quote :”Casual Day is celebrated annually on the First Friday in September and what is even more special about it this is that September Month has been declared the month of Chief Albert Luthuli . Chief Albert Luthuli was the first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in the country and on the African Continent , a visionary whose leadership and legacy as the eighth President – General of the ANC is being celebrated in the Northern Cape to honour him. Chief Albert Luthuli was renowned for his fearless and his bold outspokenness against the injustices of time against the vulnerable members of society , which included persons with disabilities. The majority of people with disabilities in South Africa has been excluded from the mainstream of society and has thus been prevented from accessing fundamental social, political and economic rights. Casual Day is an activity which not only raises funds for the disabled but addresses the forms of discrimination in all areas”
The staff of the Department of Social Development will be celebrating Casual Day at the Mimosa Office Complex Barkley Road tomorrow from 13HOO - 07 September 2012 and the following will be awarded to employees of the Department
The best dressed unit
The unit with the most spirit.
The unit that sold the most stickers
The media is invited to the above-mentioned event.
Issued by Conrad Fortune
Manager: Communications
Department of Social Development
0798730679