Buy an R20 sticker, and wear your best pair of shades. That’s all it takes to help someone live with more independence this October!
South Africa (20 September 2026) – The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind encourages South Africans to wear their favourite pair of shades for a good cause on 16 October. The ‘why’ behind it is one you’ll want to get behind!
The organisation’s annual Shades Day has come back around, just in time for World Sight Month.
Shades Day happens across the country! It asks South Africans to don their favourite sunnies and purchase a R20 Shades Day sticker that supports people living with visual impairments and other disabilities.
You get to look exceptionally cool donning your shades all day, and every sticker bought helps support the South African Guide-Dogs Association and its life-changing services that help people with disabilities experience greater freedom, confidence, and independence.
The organisation touches the lives of approximately 400 South Africans through its Assistance Dog programmes, including Guide Dogs, Service Dogs and Autism Support Dogs. It also provides orientation and mobility training which gives people with visual impairments essential daily living skills and techniques that help them navigate their everyday lives more independently.
“Wear Your Shades Day is an opportunity for every South African to become part of someone else’s journey to independence,” says Pieter van Niekerk, Head of PR for the South African Guide-Dogs Association and a Guide Dog owner himself.
“Every sticker purchased helps us continue providing life-changing services to people with visual impairments and other disabilities, at no cost to our beneficiaries.”
Shades Day puts eye health in the spotlight, too! Taking place during World Sight Month, the campaign is a reminder of the importance of protecting eye health.
According to the World Health Organisation, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide live with near or distance vision impairment, with at least one billion cases preventable or yet to be addressed through access to eye care and preventative measures such as protecting eyes from harmful UV exposure.
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1. Buy a R20 Shades Day sticker
Digital stickers can be purchased online via the South African Guide-Dogs Association website. Bulk physical stickers can be ordered through the Association’s Johannesburg or Cape Town offices.
Physical stickers are also available at participating retailers nationwide, including Petworld, Big Blue, SPAR stores nationwide, and PetStorey.
2. Wear your shades on Friday, 16 October 2026
Put on your sunglasses, wear your Shades Day sticker, and show your support. Whether you’re at work, at home, or out with friends and family, your shades can help spark conversations about visual impairment, inclusion, and eye health.
3. Strike a pose and enter the Shades Day Competition
Take a photo wearing your shades and Shades Day sticker, then tag @sa_guide_dogs and use #ShadesDay for the chance to win one of three R2000 vouchers.
There are three prizes up for grabs for best individual photo, best pet photo, and best group photo!
Wear your shades and your sticker. Help change a life. For more information or to purchase your sticker, follow this link!
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