Why a Valid Will Matters 

Failing to have a valid will can have devastating consequences for families and loved ones, including prolonged financial hardship while estates are wound up according to intestate succession laws. During a time already filled with grief, this can compound the trauma, leaving your wishes unfulfilled and your assets distributed in ways you never intended.

National Wills Week: A Timely Opportunity

But there’s good news! From 15 to 19 September, it’s National Wills Week– the perfect opportunity to take action if you haven’t yet drafted a professional will. Best of all, it’s now easier, simpler, and completely free!

Leave a Legacy with Retina South Africa

Including a bequest to Retina South Africa in your will is straightforward. You can draft a new will or simply add a codicil to your existing one, naming us as a beneficiary. Your generosity will ensure that your legacy continues to make a meaningful impact long after you’re gone.

Partnering with Antoon Botha Incorporated

To make this process seamless, Retina South Africa has partnered with Antoon Botha Incorporated (visit https://www.abilaw.co.za), who will draft your will free of charge during National Wills Week. Feel free to email them for a step-by-step guide on drafting a will or adding a codicil – it’s designed to make including Retina South Africa effortless.

Additional Legal Support Available

If that doesn’t suit your needs, explore the Law Society of South Africa’s list of participating attorneys at LSSA’s National Wills Week page. This initiative simplifies the entire process, giving you peace of mind that your estate will be handled exactly as you wish.

Why Your Bequest Matters

By leaving a bequest to Retina South Africa, you’re not just supporting our vital work – you’re also potentially reducing the tax burden on your estate, benefiting your loved ones while doing good. As the only organization in South Africa dedicated exclusively to supporting individuals with retinal degenerative conditions, we guide patients through every stage of their journey. From early diagnosis to advanced vision loss, we empower them to live fulfilling, independent lives and reach their full potential.

Your Impact – Reasearch, Support and Hope

Your bequest could fund groundbreaking research, provide essential assistive devices, or offer counselling and support services that change lives. We rely entirely on the generosity of donors like you to continue this work –and your thoughtful gift could make an extraordinary difference.

Create a Legacy of Vision

Help us help those affected by retinal conditions, while securing the future for your own family. Take advantage of National Wills Week today – draft your will, include Retina South Africa, and rest easy knowing you’ve created a lasting legacy of hope and vision.

Contact Us
For more information or assistance, please contact Magda van der Merwe at magda@retinasa.org.za.

Dear Retina South Africa Members and Supporters,

In this edition, we explore significant advancements in automated vehicles and their potential to enhance independence for individuals
with visual impairments. We are also proud to introduce the Umsizi reader, a transformative tool enabling our members to access texts
in all of South Africa’s official languages.

Retina South Africa continues to lead in advocating for those with rare retinal conditions, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for their generous grant supporting our outreach program in the Western Cape this September. Details of
this initiative is included in the newsletter.

We are also preparing for the Double Century event in November.

We invite you to meet the Retina South Africa team participating and encourage your contributions to this meaningful cause. Additionally, please find information about our Zanzibar raffle and the Ride Joburg charity event, both of which promise to be exciting
opportunities for engagement.

Click the link to read the full newsletter and stay connected: Out of Sight — September 2025

As blind persons living in South Africa, the idea of autonomous vehicles (AVs) fills us with an overwhelming sense of hope and excitement. For far too long, we’ve navigated a world where simple tasks like getting to work or visiting friends feel like insurmountable challenges. But AVs—self-driving cars powered by sensors, AI, and machine learning—promise to change that. They represent not just a technological breakthrough, but a pathway to true independence, dignity, and participation in society. Imagine waking up and deciding on a whim to head to the market or a job interview without begging for a ride or wrestling with unreliable public transport. For the approximately 1 million South Africans who are blind or severely visually impaired, AVs could unlock a future where we move freely, pursue our dreams, and live life on our own terms.

The Daily Struggle of Mobility as a Blind South African

In South Africa, where public transport is often inaccessible and unreliable, being blind means constant dependence on others. According to the South African National Council for the Blind, around 1 million people here live with sight loss, and unemployment among those with severe visual impairments soars as high as 97%—largely because of mobility barriers. We rely on minibus taxis, buses, or trains that are rarely equipped for our needs: no audio announcements, uneven platforms, and drivers who sometimes overlook or mishandle passengers with disabilities. In rural areas like parts of Limpopo or the Eastern Cape, options are even scarcer, leaving many of us isolated. Guide dogs and canes help, but they’re no substitute for the flexibility of personal travel. This lack of independence doesn’t just limit jobs—it’s a blow to our aspirations, keeping us from social events, education, or even basic errands. We’ve missed opportunities because arranging transport felt too daunting.

How Autonomous Cars Ignite Hope and Aspirations for Us

The thought of AVs brings a spark of optimism that’s hard to describe. These vehicles could transform our lives and those of countless others with visual impairments by offering safe, independent mobility. Here’s how we envision it changing everything:

1. True Independence on the Road: As persons who’s never held driver’s licenses, the idea of entering a car, voicing our destinations, and arriving without assistance is liberating. AVs use LIDAR, radar, cameras, and GPS to handle navigation, traffic, and obstacles—far more reliably than a human driver. In South Africa, where road safety is a concern, this could mean traveling from Johannesburg to Pretoria or even rural villages without fear or reliance on others. It’s about reclaiming control over our schedules and destinies.
2. Tailored Accessibility That Empowers: We dream of AVs with voice interfaces, braille controls, and audio feedback designed for us. Global leaders like Waymo have already partnered with blind advocacy groups—why not here? In South Africa, integrating local languages like isiZulu or Afrikaans into these systems would make them truly inclusive, allowing us to feel confident and in charge during every journey.
3. A Safer Path Forward: Human error causes most accidents, but AVs promise precision that could save lives. For blind people like us, who often feel vulnerable in taxis or buses, this reliability is a game-changer. No more worrying about reckless drivers or inaccessible stops—AVs could detect everything around them, making travel secure and stress-free.
4. Unlocking Dreams and Opportunities: With AVs, we could chase job prospects in distant cities, attend cultural festivals, or visit family without the hassle. This independence would boost employment rates among the visually impaired, fostering economic growth and social inclusion. It’s not just transport; it’s the key to aspiring bigger: starting a business, pursuing education, or simply enjoying life’s spontaneities.
5. Bridging Urban-Rural Divides: In bustling Cape Town or sparse rural areas, AVs could provide on-demand rides, filling gaps in public transport. For visually impaired South Africans in townships or farms, this means access to healthcare, markets, and community—turning isolation into connection and hope into reality.

Global Progress and Local Aspirations

Worldwide, companies like Waymo and Cruise are testing AVs with blind users, incorporating feedback for better design. In South Africa, while full AVs aren’t widespread yet, the market is growing at 18.8% annually from 2025 to 2030, with semi-autonomous features already in some cars. Initiatives like Uber’s inclusive mobility program and partnerships with Shonaquip for driver training show progress toward accessible transport. Retina South Africa and similar groups could lead local advocacy, much like the National Federation of the Blind’s Blind Driver Challenge globally.

Challenges We Face and What Needs to Be Done in South Africa

Yet, realizing this dream requires action. AV technology is advancing, but South Africa lags in full adoption due to regulatory gaps, infrastructure issues, and costs. Cybersecurity risks and public acceptance are concerns too.

To make AVs accessible here, we must:

• Develop Inclusive Regulations: Government should fast-track laws for AV testing and deployment, mandating accessibility features like audio interfaces. Drawing from the Transport Summit on Universal Accessibility, policies must prioritize disabled users.
• Build Partnerships and Infrastructure: Collaborate with companies like Toyota (entering EVs in 2026) and local firms to integrate AVs with public systems. Upgrade roads, add charging stations, and ensure rural coverage.
• Ensure Affordability and Equity: Subsidies or ride-sharing models could make AVs available to low-income blind individuals. Initiatives like Uber’s assist upgrades show promise—expand them nationwide.
• Boost Awareness and Training: Educate the public and train developers with input from the South African National Council for the Blind to build trust. Address cybersecurity through robust standards.
• Advocate for Universal Design: Push for AVs that work for all, including multilingual support, to bridge socioeconomic divides.

Paving the Way to a Brighter Future

As a blind South African, AVs symbolize more than innovation—they’re a promise of equality and aspiration. By overcoming barriers, we can turn hope into reality, allowing visually impaired people to thrive. With collaboration between government, tech firms, and advocates, this future is within reach. Let’s drive toward it together.

Imagine diving into your favourite book, a work memo, or even a restaurant menu, all in your home language, no matter your visual ability. Thanks to the Umsizi Reader app, designed by South African innovator, and Retina member with Stargardts, Ferdie Danzfuss, this is now a reality for visually impaired South Africans.

Created with South Africa’s visually impaired community in mind, this AI-powered app is breaking barriers by turning written content into audio across all eleven of South Africa’s official languages. For many visually impaired individuals, accessing written material can feel like an uphill battle. Traditional solutions often fall short, with limited language options or clunky interfaces. Umsizi Reader changes the game. Whether it’s Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa, or any other official language, the app seamlessly converts text to speech with a variety of voice options, letting users pick what suits them best.

It’s not just about books, documents, websites, and even quick tasks via the Umsizi WhatsApp Bot are now within reach. Ferdie Danzfuss, inspired by the challenges faced by Retina South Africa members, designed the app to empower. “It’s about giving everyone the freedom to read, learn, and connect in their own language,” Ferdie says.

Optimized for both Android and iOS, Umsizi Reader is user-friendly, with accessibility features tailored for blind and partially sighted users. It’s no wonder it’s been showcased at events like the Beyond Sight Assistive Technology Exhibition, where users raved about its ease and impact. For Retina South Africa’s community, this app is more than tech-it’s a doorway to independence. From students studying in Sesotho to professionals accessing reports in Tswana, Umsizi Reader is helping visually impaired South Africans engage with the world on their terms.

Want to try it? Download it from the App Store, Google Play or https://umsizi.ai/ to explore its features hands-on. Let’s celebrate tools like Umsizi Reader that make inclusion not just a goal, but a reality.

Keep reading, keep thriving!

Many people affected by retinal vision loss avoid seeing an eye care professional on a regular basis. As many retinal conditions are untreatable people may ignore the complications that can arise for all of us. Having a retinal condition does not protect you from developing cataracts, high pressure within the eye [Glaucoma], or macular oedema [swelling in the macular area].   

These complications are often treatable in the early stages and if left untreated could diminish your already limited vision. Vision Works is offering a HUGE discount to members of Retina South Africa- a comprehensive vision test for only R250 instead of R495. This offer excludes the cost of refractive lenses or frames. They are also offering a FREE comprehensive eye test for children aged 6 to 12 yrs old.

This “Kids See free 6-12” offer includes:

• A FREE eye test
• FREE Single Vision – standard lenses
• FREE Frame – from a selected range

Go to www.vision-works.co.za – Store Directory and make an appointment at your closest Vision Works store. Mention that you are a member and get your special discount.

Hearing loss may often be associated with vision loss and added to vision loss makes life even more difficult.   Hearing Works SA is offering all Retina SA members a complimentary hearing screening from their Hearing Works practices nationwide.

Late onset hearing loss should not be confused with Usher Syndrome, which is Retinitis Pigmentosa coupled with early onset and severe hearing loss.

Hearing screening takes less than 10 minutes and may change your life. Modern hearing aids are amazing and are generally re- imbursed by medical aids.

See their website www.hearing-works.co.za – Store locator and make an appointment for your free hearing screening.  Mention your Retina SA free screening offer. 

Retina South Africa, Vision Works and the South African Optometric Association are collaborating to create awareness about the importance of eye tests during World Retina Week and Eye Care Awareness Month. Free basic vision screening is available at Vision Works and other participating Optometrists by appointment.  Please support this campaign by liking and sharing our social media posts.

In honour of Women’s Month in South Africa, today’s episode shines a light on a woman whose story embodies strength, spirit, and unstoppable determination.

Meet Kathleen Flanagan — or as her friends call her, Kat. At 39, she’s a powerhouse of athletic achievement and quiet courage. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of five, Kat has never been able to see in the dark, yet she’s always seen possibility. From climbing trees and playing tennis with neighbours to earning a President’s Award and completing her BTech in fashion design, Kat’s journey has been anything but ordinary. She holds a degree in accounting, works in tax, and has danced ballroom routines on stage. But her true passion? Sport. She’s conquered marathons, ultra trail runs, and triathlons — including her first full Ironman in March this year, with another on the horizon.

This episode is a tribute to women like Kat — women who run, swim, lift, and rise. Women who redefine what’s possible. So let’s dive into her story and celebrate the power of women who dare to dream beyond sight.

Listen here: https://youtu.be/i8X1ZW9k_NY

August marks Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month in the US—and it’s a timely prompt for us in South Africa to reflect on how we’re supporting young vision. With children spending more time on screens for both learning and play, prioritising eye care has never been more urgent. It’s a call to action for parents, caregivers, and educators to ensure regular eye screenings and promote healthy visual habits

Why Children’s Eye Health Matters

Good vision is critical for a child’s development, learning, and overall well-being. According to the American Optometric Association, 80% of what children learn in school is presented visually. Visual issues that may not be obvious can lead to academic struggles, behavioral problems, and even developmental delays.

Children and Devices

Today’s children are exposed to screens at a much younger age and for longer durations than previous generations. Prolonged screen time can lead to …

• Eye fatigue
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dry or irritated eyes
• Myopia (short-sightedness or nearsightedness) – excessive close-up screen use may also contribute to the rising global rates of myopia in children.

Key Tips for Protecting the Eyes:

• Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Early detection is essential. Children should have a comprehensive eye exam before starting school and ideally every year thereafter.
• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, children should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds and blink 20 times to reduce risks associated with prolonged device use
• Encourage Outdoor Play: Studies show time spent outdoors can help slow the progression of myopia.
• Monitor Screen Time: Set healthy limits and encourage screen breaks.
• Use Proper Lighting: Ensure devices are used in well-lit areas to avoid additional problems developing.
• Healthy Lifestyle including a healthy diet with reduced intake of foods and drinks that contain sugar, artificial flavorants, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives 

A Clearer Future

August serves as a great annual checkpoint for ensuring children’s eyes are healthy and developing properly. By taking simple but consistent steps, parents, carers, and educators can help protect a child’s vision—setting them up for a successful and bright future.

Vision Works -Kids See Free Initiative

Protecting your child’s vision doesn’t have to cost a thing! Thanks to the Vision Works Kids See Free initiative, children between the ages of 6 and 12 can receive a free eye exam, frame, and lenses—once per year, at participating Vision Works locations. For more information visit their website at https://www.vision-works.co.za/kids-see-free/

For our Retina South Africa community, navigating a world that often overlooks visual impairment can feel like a constant battle. In South Africa, where access to eye care, education, or jobs can be limited, we need every tool possible to demand our rights. Enter the African Disability Protocol—a game-changer for people with disabilities across the continent, including those of us with visual impairments.

Let’s break it down: what is it, how can it help, and how can you use it when local systems let you down? The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa—let’s call it the ADP—is a treaty adopted by the African Union. Unlike global frameworks like the UN’s disability convention, the ADP is built for Africa’s unique challenges. It tackles things like harmful cultural practices, such as attacks on people with albinism, and systemic issues, like inaccessible schools or workplaces. For South Africans with visual impairments, it’s a legal promise of equality, pushing for things like braille signage, accessible digital tools, and fair access to healthcare and jobs. Think of it as a shield against discrimination and a blueprint for inclusion.

Why does this matter to you? The ADP, now ratified by some African countries, holds governments accountable. In South Africa, where we face barriers like limited assistive devices or job rejections due to vision loss, the protocol demands action—think better eye care access or workplace accommodations. It covers education (Article 16) for accessible learning, health (Article 17) for affordable care, and accessibility (Article 9) for things like screen readers or guide dog policies. It’s a tool to make daily life more equitable.

But what happens when you’ve tried everything—filed complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission, gone to court, or begged government departments—and still hit a wall? Maybe your employer refused reasonable accommodations, or your local clinic lacks accessible information. This is where the ADP shines. You can escalate your case to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which oversees the protocol. Here’s how: document your issue clearly—what right was violated, what steps you took locally. Then, file a complaint with the Commission, referencing ADP articles that apply, like Article 13 on access to justice. You might need a lawyer or advocacy group, but the Commission can investigate, issue rulings, or even send serious cases to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It’s not instant, but it’s a powerful next step when local systems fail.

Want to learn more? The thirteenth Annual Disability Rights in Africa Conference is happening November four to five, 2025, in Johannesburg, hosted by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria. It’s all about the ADP—how it’s working, where it’s falling short, and what’s next. Activists, policymakers, and people like you will discuss real solutions, from tackling harmful practices to improving accessibility. It’s hybrid, so you can join in person or online. Visit www.chr.up.ac.za for registration or contact their office for details. Following organizations like Sightsavers or Make Way on social media will also keep you updated on the conference and advocacy tips.

The ADP is more than a document—it’s a call to action. For Retina South Africa members, it’s a way to demand the access and dignity we deserve. Whether you’re fighting for better eye care or an inclusive workplace, this protocol is your ally. Let’s use it to make South Africa a place where visual impairment doesn’t hold us back.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, or NSFAS, supports South African students from low-income families to pursue higher education at public universities or TVET colleges. For parents of students with disabilities, including visual impairments, NSFAS offers tailored benefits to make education accessible. Families with a student who has a disability can earn up to six hundred thousand rand annually—about fifty thousand rand a month—and still qualify, compared to the standard three hundred fifty-thousand-rand income threshold. For students with visual impairments, like those with retinal conditions, a formal diagnosis is essential to access these benefits.

NSFAS covers tuition, accommodation, books, and transport for studies at universities or TVET colleges. Students with disabilities can also receive assistive devices to support their learning, paving the way for academic success. Backed by the Department of Higher Education and Training, NSFAS ensures financial barriers don’t stop young people with visual impairments from achieving their goals at public universities or TVET colleges.

Parents, if your child has a retinal condition, secure a formal diagnosis to unlock this support. Apply via the NSFAS website or your institution’s Financial Aid Office. Education opens doors, and NSFAS helps students with disabilities step through them.