The year-long campaign supports NCPD’s Vava iYouth program, which aims to empower youth with disabilities.
The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and The Walt Disney Company Africa celebrated South Africa’s children and youth with disabilities at Comic Con Africa this past weekend and, in doing so, welcomed some of the country’s most inspirational sporting heroes in a unique event: The Junior Super Hero Training Academy.
Brought to the pop culture convention by Mr. Price, the events saw kids learning moves inspired by some of the Marvel’s iconic characters and then receiving their own Junior Super Hero membership card. Along the way, trainees learnt that, whilst these characters may have super-human strength, magic or genius, their true superpowers lie in their bravery, courage and perseverance. The curated and inclusive event ensured that everyone, including participants with disabilities, were able to get in on the fun, including alternative moves for guests in wheelchairs, and a sign language interpreter.
In addition, visitors were able to meet, hear from and have a picture with some of South Africa’s very own sporting Super Heroes including cricketer Sibonelo Makhanya and para-athletes Anrune Weyers, Hilton Langenhoven, Jonathan Ntutu, Kat Swanepoel, Louzanne Coetzee and Mpumelelo Mhlongo. The sports icons shared their own stories of working hard, overcoming challenges and striving to be their very best, inspiring the crowds in attendance.
The Junior Super Hero Training Academy is another milestone in the Heroes Unite initiative, the fourth collaboration between NCPD and Disney Africa that kicked off in April 2024 with a call for all South Africans to show their support for young people with disabilities. Inspired by the Marvel retail campaign of the same name, special-branded wristbands are available from BOUNCE: Africa’s Largest indoor Trampoline Parks at Menlyn Maine, Fourways Mall, Cornubia Mall and Mall of Africa. All proceeds support NCPD’s youth-focused project, Vava iYouth, to empower young people with disabilities and promote their full participation in society via initiatives such as assistive devices and job preparation programs, ensuring that children with disabilities have equal access to opportunities and resources.
Luke Roberts, General Manager, Consumer Product Commercialisation, Africa and MENA, The Walt Disney Company said: “Storytelling is the fuel of The Walt Disney Company and using it to contribute positively to our communities is at the very heart of who we are. The iconic Marvel Super Hero characters showcase attributes such as heroism and relatability with an openness in an interconnected world. We are excited to lend our support to the NCPD, after three successful collaborations under the Disney Princess banner as well as last year’s inaugural Marvel campaign, to showcase and celebrate young South Africans with disabilities.”
“We are thrilled to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company Africa once again to celebrate the strength and resilience of youth with disabilities,” says Ado Bakasa, NCPD Coordinator Youth Affairs: Vava iYouth. “The Heroes Unite campaign further brings awareness to and enables the NCPD to advance our mission of breaking down barriers and creating a more equitable society for persons with disabilities.”