For 26-year-old Nicole Moyo, the white cane is far more than a mobility aid, it is a powerful symbol of her independence and dignity.
A white cane is a device used by people who are visually impaired, allowing user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks.
It is also helpful for onlookers in identifying the user as visually impaired, needing appropriate assistance.
Moyo’s sentiment echoes the global message of International White Cane Day, observed on October 15, which this year celebrated the theme, “Vision Beyond Sight: Celebrating Independence, Resilience and Recognising Achievements of the Blind.”
The day serves as a reminder of the importance of the cane in promoting independence for the blind.
For Moyo, who developed sight challenges later in life, accepting the cane as an assistive device was a difficult but transformative step.
“A white cane is an extension of my body, particularly my arm,” Moyo told CITE in an interview.
“It shows me where there are potholes, steps, or obstacles. This helps me move around without always needing someone to guide me.”
Moyo explained that the cane provides both physical and emotional assurance.
“It is important for people who are not visually impaired to know that when they are helping a person with a white cane, they must not take the cane away,” she said.
“When they hold us, they are giving direction, but the cane goes further to tell us about the landscape.”
She acknowledged that like her, some people struggle to accept using the cane, especially those who lose their sight later in life.
“They fear it carries a stigma because it shows from a distance that you are visually impaired. But with adequate training and counselling, you get to appreciate the benefits of using it.”
Moyo noted that more efforts must be made to provide local access to the device.
“We need to have local companies that can produce white canes so that those in need may have better access,” she said.
“We also need more institutions that train visually impaired people how to use them. So far in Bulawayo, there is Gateway to Elation, an organisation that provides such training, but we need more. The government should also provide white canes through special grants, especially for visually impaired people in rural areas.”
Thulani Sibanda, who also uses the white cane, explained that the tool represents safety and identity.
“A white cane is a form of identity. It helps those around you to see that a visually impaired person is approaching and they can either give you a way or offer assistance. It also serves as a traffic signal, alerting motorists to be cautious,” he said.
Sibanda noted that despite the significance of the tool, accessing it is a challenge for many.
“The cane costs around US$20 to US$25 minimum and it’s sold in only a few places,” Sibanda said.
“The government and other stakeholders should assist by subsidising the cost or removing import duty so that canes can be more affordable.”
He further highlighted that poor infrastructure creates serious risks for white cane users.
“Potholes make life difficult for us. The roller tips of our canes get stuck in damaged pavements and roads,” he said.
“Sometimes councils leave open ditches after maintenance work and blind people end up falling or breaking their expensive canes.”
Gateway to Elation founder and director, Robert Malunda, said his organisation has been training visually impaired people on proper cane use and orientation, helping them gain independence and confidence.
“We train blind people from the basics of cane use to full mobility independence. We also help them reintegrate into society and build confidence to move around safely,” Malunda said.
“We facilitate white cane distribution by soliciting for cane donations from donors, well-wishers and philanthropy. We then distribute them to those who need them the most. Nevertheless more needs to be done to avoid white cane stigma.
“Some visually impaired people fear using the white cane to avoid stigma which puts their lives and bodies in danger. The government needs to subsidise or offer minimal to zero duty on mobility aids like white canes or other assistive devices. This will enable visually impaired people and all persons with disabilities to thrive and become employable.”