​Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has reiterated the importance of government in creating the best conditions for people with autism so that they can make their own contribution to a future that is fair and sustainable for all.
Chiloane was speaking on behalf of sister departments, namely Education, Health, and Social Development on Sunday during the World Autism Awareness Day at Phelang LSEN School, a special needs school in Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed annually on 2 April, to raise awareness about persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition that affects social interaction, communication, behaviour, and sensory processing. It is a developmental disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life.

Speaking to parents, caregivers, and teachers, he said government needs to improve infrastructure and resources in special schools so that there is a balance in all of them.

“Infrastructure is currently a problem that needs urgent attention,” said Chiloane.

He added, “My predecessor, who is now the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi always emphasised that learners with disabilities are not third-class citizens. This remains true, given the effort and the care which our teachers at our special schools teach our learners.”

“The results of these efforts are witnessed through our learners. Despite their challenges, they can reach their potential and excel academically. One of our successes is the Olympia Park High School, which received a 100% pass rate in the 2022 academic year,” said Chiloane.

He also spoke about the impact ASD has to families, stating that it can be extremely stressful to meet the complicated requirements of a person with autism.

“I am sure as parents of children with autism you understand how expensive Occupational Therapists are. Every parent wants the best possible relationship with their kids. Children with autism experience fear and frustration in social situations, but parents may help children acquire confidence, especially those who are on the high-functioning end of the spectrum,” said Chiloane.

One such parent was Irene Mathenjwa, a mother of 17-year-old, non-speaking autistic advocate, Zekwande Mathenjwa from Garsfontein in Pretoria.

She said Zekwande was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 years. At the time of the diagnosis, they told her that Zekwande will never be able to speak and do anything with his life. And as a parent, she went through the trauma of having to accept that kind of condition which is very difficult.

“I just want to say to all the parents of children with autism that there is nothing wrong with having a child that is autistic. As my son always says, Autism is a body and mind disconnection, but the brain, mind and intellect are very much intact, just their body failing them,” said a proud mother

She added, “My journey has been a very difficult one where, as a parent, you want to do everything to the best of your ability. You want to go around to find medication, therapists, and so on. So, my journey has been a long and painful one where we did quite a lot of things. We did hyperbaric oxygen therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, and stem cell therapy with the view that we wanted to change him to be our typical normal.”

“He was later introduced to a methodology where he speaks using a stencil tool. He types out words and constructs sentences. That is the point where we got to communicate with him and understood his emotions.”

“The first thing that he said to us was “Why do you want to change me to become like you because I’m happy with the way I am”. So, we got to accept autism and Zekwande’s journey,” said Irene.

Zekwande has found his purpose in life and wants to reach out to the millions of autistic children out there, particularly in rural areas where most children do not have access or the privilege he got in the journey of his life.

Through his foundation, he does a lot of work like counseling parents, and community members so that they can understand autism and can experience how it is to live with autism.

Anyone who is willing to support Zekwande can reach him through his foundation, Zekwande Foundation on Zekwande Foundation