It could not have been an easy task to develop a cirriculum for the mentally challenged child. During the reign of a government that did not regard all children as of equal value. The men and women who pioneered this school were truly heroic, and for this our society owes them a great deal. Our new democratic constitution guarantees the rights of each and every individual. For the first time ever the rights of the disabled have been guaranteed by the law.
New laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace.
This makes the work of places such as the Harvey Cohen Centre even more important than before. We must try to provide every person in our society with the training that will enable them to contribute to society to their full potential. The rights and dignity of each person in our society, and especially those who cannot speak for themselves, must be protected with zeal by those us who can. It is a great honour for me to be able to make this small contribution to the Harvey Cohen School. Today all of our children can grow together, no longer seaprated by the walls of apartheid.