By Emily Setona
QWAQWA — As the festive season ushers in a time of joy, reflection and renewal, a group of mothers raising children with disabilities gathered for the Still I Rise Kids Fun Day — an event that delivered not only laughter for the children, but healing and solidarity for their parents.
For Masabata Mohomane, Christmas is no longer just a celebration; it is a reminder of resilience. Her journey took a difficult turn just three days after giving birth, when her seemingly healthy newborn was diagnosed with jaundice during a clinic check-up and immediately hospitalised.
Speaking at the event on Saturday, 6 December, she recalled realising something was wrong when her daughter showed limited movement at six months old. Early tests revealed nothing unusual, but doctors later diagnosed her child with cerebral palsy. Today, her daughter is two years and four months old.
“This journey is very challenging,” she said.
“Some family members do not understand the situation, and the support is not always there. But I am not ashamed of my child. I carry her everywhere I go.”
Her experience resonated deeply with many of the mothers who used the gathering not only to celebrate the season, but to share their struggles, triumphs and unwavering love.
Another parent, Malefu Mabe, is raising her 14-year-old autistic son. She learned of his condition when he was six years old and says Still I Rise has transformed her confidence as a parent.
“Still I Rise gave me confidence,” she said.
“Raising a child with special needs is very challenging. Parents must take their children out so they can get used to other people and different environments.”
Dikeledi Khiba, whose child also lives with cerebral palsy, is widely known for bringing her child to community events to ensure visibility, inclusion and acceptance.The founder of Still I Rise, Charmaine Thale, shared her own journey. Her son, Mpilo, was born healthy in 2012 but began showing concerning symptoms at the age of four. He was later diagnosed with autism and ADHD.
“I do what I do because of my son,” Thale said.
“Raising a child with special needs is not easy. I appreciate the mothers who continue to support one another. When parents encourage each other and stand together, our community becomes a better place for our children.”
Representing the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality’s gender and people living with disabilities office, Bongani Madonsela praised parents for bringing their children into community spaces and urged families to continue exposing children with disabilities to the world instead of hiding them.
The fun day was filled with festive excitement, featuring a swimming pool, mask painting and a jumping castle — activities that created moments of joy, freedom and belonging.
The emotional climax of the event came during a candle-lighting ceremony for change. Parents wrote affirmations, sealed them inside balloons and released them into the sky — a symbolic gesture of hope, acceptance and renewed strength.
As the balloons drifted upward, they carried with them the burdens of stigma, fear and isolation, leaving behind unity, courage and the promise of a festive season filled with visibility, love and hope for every child.
