The South African Guide-Dog Association explains how practitioners like Mandla Mathebula equip clients with cane techniques, spatial awareness and independent living skills.
South Africa (18 February 2026) – The South African Guide-Dog Association for the Blind is shining a light on an often-overlooked but essential service.
In a recent video shared on its platforms, the organisation introduced viewers to Mandla Mathebula, an orientation and mobility practitioner who works closely with visually impaired clients to help them navigate the world with confidence and independence.
“As an orientation and mobility practitioner, I train my clients to be able to use a white cane, to be able to move from point A to point B safely,” Mandla explains in the video. “Secondly, I train my clients to be able to do skills of daily living making a cup of tea, cooking at home without any assistance.”
Guide dogs are often the most visible symbol of mobility support, but they are not always the solution for every visually impaired person. That is where orientation and mobility practitioners play a vital role.
The training focuses on essential skills such as proper cane techniques, spatial awareness, route planning and safely navigating both familiar and unfamiliar environments. In the video, Mandla is seen guiding a client through the basics of cane handling, carefully explaining how to position and use it effectively.
Importantly, this support is tailored to each individual’s needs. The association notes that mobility training extends to people with varying requirements, including those who are deafblind, ensuring that every client receives guidance adapted to their unique circumstances and abilities.
By equipping clients with practical tools and techniques, practitioners help open doors that might otherwise feel out of reach.
Through Mandla’s work, the organisation highlights independence is not just about movement, but about dignity, confidence and the freedom to participate fully in everyday life.
Sources: South African Guide-Dog Association for the Blind
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