Free State:Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Steve Letsike has called for greater understanding and inclusion of people who stutter, emphasizing the need to end bullying and discrimination against affected learners in schools.

According to South African Government News Agency, Letsike made these remarks during the International Stuttering Awareness Day event held in the Free State on Saturday. The day, commemorated annually on 22 October, aims to promote understanding of stuttering and the experiences of those living with this speech condition.

Stuttering, described by Letsike as a speech condition that can be considered an invisible disability, affects speech fluency but does not determine a person's intelligence or potential. She highlighted the bullying, discrimination, and exclusion faced by many who stutter, which impacts their confidence in various settings.

The Deputy Minister urged for a change in attitudes, advocating for patience and understanding when communicating with those who stutter. In a show of solidarity, Letsike joined a 57-kilometre awareness walk from Welkom to Kroonstad, organized by the Stutter Foundation, to commemorate World Stuttering Day.

The walk aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people who stutter and promote acceptance and equal opportunities. Letsike described it as an opportunity to challenge stigma and demonstrate a collective commitment to disability inclusion, encouraging others to support the campaign by treating those who stutter with dignity and respect.

She concluded by urging South Africans to create supportive environments for people who stutter, reinforcing the message that "every voice matters."