Cape Town Society for the Blind was founded in 1929 by a group of women from Cape Town, who identified the need to provide training and employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired persons, within a secure and supportive environment. To this day, the Society strives to uplift the blind and visually impaired, through career development programmes.

Nicky Jacobs who holds the position as Funding Developer and Public Relations Practitioner explains: “Our primary objective is to equip blind and visually impaired people with the skills they need to achieve economic independence. We live by Helen Keller’s motto, that knowledge is love and light and vision.”

Lizelle van Wyk holds the position of CEO. Management is overseen by a board comprising of six members including one blind and one visually impaired professional.

CTSB employs a staff compliment of thirty five people throughout five departments, specialising in training, cane and material production, sales, finance, administration and fundraising. Two staff members are blind and seven are visually impaired.

There are fifty Small Business Units, which manufacture exquisite handwoven cane and material products. The products include baby, baskets, bathroom, laundry and lifestyle ranges.

In April 2010, Café 45 was launched. This is a vibey, coffee shop, where delicious light meals are the order of the day. The purpose: To create an opportunity for blind and visually impaired persons to acquire and develop, a wide range of skills for the hospitality industry.

The people involved in the management of The Cape Town Society for the Blind, do the work of angels. The crafters (as can be seen in the photos) make exquisite products. They need our support by buying their products. They will basically make anything to your own specifications.

Address:
45 Salt River Road,
Salt River,
Cape Town

Tel: 021 448 4302
Fax: 021 448 5206
Email: info@ctsb.org.za
Website: www.ctsb.co.za