The Disability Rights Unit (DRU) and the Department of Sports Administration at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted their first Disability Sports Day under the theme: Cultivating Inclusion at the Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko Campus.

The theme of the event came about when the Differently Abled Student Association(DASA) proposed to have a meet and greet for students with disabilities.  The DRU saw a need for inclusion in the Sports Administration Department, knowing that sports bring people together, and plays a critical role in sowing the seed of inclusion. There were 150 participants on the day which included the Residence Advisors (RAs), House Committees, and DUT students.

It was a successful and carefully designed event aimed to accommodate students with disabilities in the sports and would not have been a success without the following departments such as Student Services (Dean’s Office), Student services and Development Midlands campuses , Student Housing and Residence Life, Recruitment Department, Student Representative Council (SRC), and Redbull for sponsoring the event and making it a success.

The Dean of Students, Dr Clement Moreku gave an insightful purpose of the day.

He mentioned that the purpose of the day was to cultivate inclusion by planting the seed of inclusion, also saying that sports is a catalyst in terms of engaging cohesion and breaking silence.

Ms Siphesihle Ngubo from the HIV/AIDS Centre at DUT shared an insightful talk about safe sex and sexual orientation.

Students with disabilities played games such as chess, monopoly, table tennis, sack race, trust games, tug-a-war and relays. At the end of the event, there was an awards ceremony where students won medals and goodie bags. Students with Disabilities were equally enthralled to be part of the event saying that it should be organised annually so that the seed of inclusion can be planted in each and every one.

“As we are on the journey to ENVISION2030, DUT should be an inclusive environment for all students in the university setting. The Sports Day theme was to cultivate inclusivity, cultivating diversity. We need to be together for us to be cohesive. The Sports Day was not just about playing games but it was about curbing discrimination in the university setting. Overall, the Sports Day was a huge success, and we hope that it will continue planting a seed of inclusion for each and every individual in the DUT community,” said Gugu Khuluse, Disability Officer at DUT.

Pictured:  DUT students at the first Disability Sports Day.

Photography: Simphiwe Mahlaba and Sabelo Ngema.

Odwa Mahlungulu