There is something truly remarkable about an organisation that celebrates 75 years of existence. It is not simply a measure of time, but a testament to resilience, commitment, adaptability and, above all, growth. No organisation, whether a business or a non-profit, reaches such a milestone by standing still. It survives because it learns, evolves, embraces change and finds new ways to remain relevant to the people it serves. And sometimes, that growth is made possible by the steady hands of those who have dedicated much of their lives to guiding it.
Some may argue that having the same person at the helm for 25 years is too long. I would argue that there is something extraordinary about having someone who offers a quarter of a century of consistent support, institutional knowledge, experience and wisdom. Someone who understands not only where an organisation is going, but also where it has come from, what it has overcome and why its purpose matters. For Breede Valley Association of and for Persons with Disabilities (BVAPD), that person has been Alderman Willem (Thys) Blom.
After 25 years as our Chairperson, Mr Blom has retired, leaving behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply in years served, meetings attended or decisions made. His legacy lives in the growth of an organisation that has transformed itself from what was once known as “Cripple Care” into the BVAPD we proudly represent today. And what a journey that has been!
We have grown from an organisation primarily focused on caring for people with disabilities into one that increasingly creates opportunities for persons with disabilities to take ownership of their own futures. We have shifted from simply meeting needs to recognising potential, developing abilities, encouraging independence and challenging the very perceptions that have held people back for generations. We are no longer content with simply asking society to accommodate persons with disabilities. We are challenging society to recognise their value, their contribution and their rightful place in every aspect of community life.
Because the truth is, so often the greatest limitation a person with a disability face is not their disability at all. It is the perception of someone who has never taken the time to discover what that person is capable of achieving. At BVAPD, we have the privilege of witnessing those capabilities every single day. We see young people who have spent years being labelled, underestimated or overlooked suddenly discover talents they never knew they possessed. We see creativity emerging in our workshops, entrepreneurial thinking taking shape in our projects and confidence growing in individuals who were once made to believe that their opportunities would always be limited. And then we see what happens when someone believes in them.
We have watched employers who were initially hesitant, even apprehensive, about welcoming persons with disabilities into their workplaces undergo a complete change of heart. What began as an opportunity for job shadowing or workplace exposure became a discovery of ability, commitment, reliability and genuine value. In many instances, those same employers who were once uncertain have gone on to offer permanent employment. Not out of sympathy or obligation, but because they recognised capable employees who deserved the opportunity to earn their place in the workforce. That, to me, is real change. It is not about convincing someone to do a good deed. It is about changing the way they see another human being.
We are witnessing similar progress with our children. Where children with disabilities were once largely excluded from mainstream educational opportunities, we are now seeing doors opening and placements becoming a reality. Is the road smooth? Certainly not. There are still obstacles, misunderstandings and systems that need to evolve. But every child who enters a school that might previously have been considered beyond their reach represents progress. And I have no doubt that these children will continue to surprise those who underestimate them. Growth, however, does not mean that every challenge has been conquered. Quite the opposite. The more we achieve, the more clearly, we see how much still needs to be done.
Perhaps that is what makes this particular chapter in BVAPD’s history so exciting. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we also find ourselves welcoming a new generation of leadership. Our newly elected Chairperson, Lyndon Van Wyk, steps into a role built on an extraordinary foundation. He inherits an organisation rich in experience, strong in its values and deeply connected to the communities it serves. But he also brings something equally important: fresh eyes, new ideas, a younger perspective and the opportunity to question boundaries that previous generations may have come to accept.
And that is exactly what growth requires. The transition from Mr Blom to Mr Van Wyk is not about replacing the past with the future. It is about allowing the wisdom of the past to become the foundation on which an exciting future can be built. There is something reassuring about knowing that Mr Blom’s experience and guidance remain available, while a new Chairperson is given the freedom to bring his own vision, energy and leadership to the organisation. To me, that is the beauty of a healthy organisation. It does not depend on one individual for its survival. Instead, strong leadership creates the conditions for others to step forward, take ownership and carry the vision even further and I genuinely believe that BVAPD’s greatest achievements may still lie ahead of us.
When I look at our programmes today, I see far more than the individual services we provide. I see possibilities. I see our youth development initiatives growing into meaningful pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. I see our skills development projects becoming places where young adults can discover not only what they can do, but what they can become. I see our Nutrition Alliance demonstrating that persons with disabilities are not merely recipients of community support, but active contributors to the wellbeing of others. Through food distribution, food processing, gardening and partnerships, our young people are helping address real needs within their own communities.
Think about the significance of that shift. People who may once have been regarded as dependent on society are now helping to feed, support and uplift that very same society. If that does not challenge perceptions, I don’t know what will.
I see our community development work expanding, our partnerships becoming stronger and our organisation continuing to demonstrate that inclusion is not an act of charity. It is an investment in human potential. And the benefits of that investment extend far beyond the individual. When a young adult gains employment, a family gains hope. When a child gains access to education, a community becomes more inclusive. When someone develops a skill and earns an income, they gain independence, dignity and the opportunity to contribute. When a business discovers the value of employing a person with a disability, an entire workplace begins to think differently.
That is how real transformation happens. Not through grand statements or impressive policies alone, but through ordinary people being given extraordinary opportunities to prove what they have always been capable of. After 75 years, I believe we have only begun to scratch the surface of what BVAPD can achieve.
We have built strong foundations. We have earned the trust of communities, partners and supporters. We have made mistakes, learned difficult lessons, adapted to changing circumstances and celebrated victories that once seemed impossible. And now we get to ask the most exciting question of all.
What next? What new opportunities can we create? What barriers can we break down? What perceptions can we change? How many more young people can we help discover their potential? How many more employers, schools and communities can we encourage to see ability before disability? I look forward to discovering those answers alongside our new Chairperson, our Management Committee, our dedicated staff, our partners and, most importantly, the persons with disabilities who remain at the very heart of everything we do.
I am immensely proud of what BVAPD has become, grateful to those who have brought us this far and genuinely excited about where we are heading. To Mr Blom, thank you for helping build an organisation strong enough to embrace change and confident enough to continue growing. To Mr Van Wyk, welcome to a new chapter filled with opportunity, responsibility and possibility. May you find as much purpose and fulfilment in this journey as those who have walked it before you.
Seventy-five years is an extraordinary achievement. But I do not see it as the culmination of our journey. I see it as a launching point for everything we have yet to accomplish. Because growth is not simply about becoming bigger. It is about becoming better, reaching further, thinking differently and making a greater difference in the lives of others. And if the past 75 years have taught us anything, it is that change becomes possible when people have the courage to believe in potential that others cannot yet see. Our history has given us roots. Our experiences have given us wisdom. Our new leadership brings fresh possibilities.
And our future? Well, I believe it is going to be something quite extraordinary.
- Michelle Vos