INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED
Bophuthatswana, Itsoseng · 1981-01-30
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 30 January 1981 in Itsoseng, with a special postmark bearing the International Year of the Disabled emblem. It carries the Bophuthatswana International Year of the Disabled set, SAPO [number to confirm], four stamps designed by Hein Botha depicting aid for the deaf, a new world for the blind, sport for paraplegics and the fight against tuberculosis. Each stamp corresponds to a real institution named on the accompanying card, the deaf education stamp reflects the work of the Bartemea School for the Deaf and Dumb, while the blind training stamp points to the Itireleng Institute at Ga-Rankuwa, which at the time housed 233 blind residents trained in cane and willow weaving. The Itsoseng postmark location itself ties directly to the Itsoseng Handicraft Centre mentioned in the card's text, where physically handicapped people were trained in sisal-weaving, woodwork and metalwork.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet is a bold, flat-colour illustration of a clenched fist in warm brown, wrist bound with a black strap, rising alongside a tall, jagged black shape that could be read as a torch or flame. Above it sits the International Year of the Disabled emblem, two stylised figures holding hands within a wreath, printed in a matching brown tone. The design is graphic and modern, using simple bold shapes rather than fine detail. Below, the cover reads "International Year of the Disabled" in plain black capitals.
Information Card
THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED The UNO has designated 1981 as the International Year of the Disabled. The emblem for this year symbolizes two persons holding hands as a sign of solidarity and support. This emblem also appears on the Bophuthatswana commemorative cover and stamps. Bophuthatswana aims at enabling disabled persons to develop into worthy members of society. The Itireleng Institute in the Ga-Rankuwa/Odi area houses 233 blind persons of both sexes who receive training in cane and willow weaving. They also manufacture brush-ware and foam-rubber matresses. In the Bartemea School for the Deaf and Dumb, children with impeded hearing are introduced to the wonder-world of sound and they receive a thorough training in handicraft up to Standard Five. The physically handicapped become self-supporting at the Itsoseng Handicraft Centre, where they are trained in sisal-weaving, woodwork and metal-work. At Heystekrand, close to the Pilanesberg National Park, an extremely modern handicraft centre for the physically handicapped, is now being built. Quality products for the tourist trade will be made here. The Tlamelang School in the Gelukspan/Ditsobotla area provides training in weaving and tapestry, whereas the Gelukspan and T.C. Esterhuizen Institutes offer refuge to the cerebral-palsied and the chronically sick, who are taught handicraft, pottery and woodwork. In the country-wide campaign against tuberculosis the well-equipped hospitals like the Moroka at Thaba Nchu, St. Konrad's at Taung and George Stegmann at Saulspoort and the Gelukspan, Jubilee and Thusong hospitals play an important part. A society can be judged by the way it cares for its under-privileged and handicapped members. In this field Bophuthatswana again proves to be a worthy and civilized nation.
Theme: Heritage
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.45 (ZAR)
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 256 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
