By Suzette Oosthuizen
The Solidarity Movement’s various institutions together with a large number of concertgoers will light ceremonial torches at the annual Liefde In Gestremmheid (LIG) concert on 28 July 2023 at 18:00 to pay tribute to all our persons with disabilities.
People with special needs should be recognized because they are valuable members of our society, and because they have unique perspectives and talents. Recognizing them promotes inclusivity, which is the foundation of a just society. The recognition of persons with disabilities deserves priority, because they have no less value than others; they simply have different talents and possibilities.
Persons with disabilities play an indispensable role in our society. Despite so many obstacles that they have to overcome on a daily basis, their message still echoes in streets and buildings, in homes and workplaces: “If I can, you can too.”
Solidarity Helping Hand’s forum for persons with disabilities annually organizes a special LIG concert in honor of persons with disabilities. The purpose of the concert is to pay tribute to each of them, and to make the community aware of the challenges they live with. The funds generated by the concert are used for the LIG study fund.
Students with disabilities are ordinary students with big dreams in their hearts, looking for a fair chance for their future. They already have to survive in a world that is not adapted to their disability. Very often, financing their studies is just another challenge. That is why the LIG study fund was created to finance needy, disabled African students with interest-free student loans.
This year is the third year that Solidarity Helping Hand presents this concert to sow hope. Our main sponsor this year is Afrison and the concert is once again being presented on the Sol-Tech campus. We are excited to welcome artists such as Drie van die Bestes, Prop and Vernon Barnard to the stage. Sarina Bosman is our master of ceremonies who will add color to the evening. The Matthys Roets Award will once again be presented to someone with exceptional perseverance, and we will also announce the winner of the Helping Hand Sê jou sê culture competition for scholars with hearing loss.
Tickets are R250 per person, R125 for children under 12, and only R1 920 for a table of 8, which includes dinner and refreshments. Come and be a part of this exceptional hope-sowing event.
- Visit www.ligkonsert.co.za to buy your ticket and come share in the grace.
We thank this year’s sponsors: Afrison, the main sponsor; SkillFull; and RNews, our media partner for the concert.
- Suzette Oosthuizen is Solidarity Helping Hand’s head of centers and the national branch for people with disabilities.
