In celebration and commemoration of National Down Syndrome Day, the office of the premier in partnership with the Department of Social Development hosted an event that welcomed parent of children with Down syndrome, educators, children with Down syndrome as well as the relevant departments to celebrate. This day is celebrated annually on the 20th October. The commemoration of this day started on the 20th October 2012. This event took place at the Kalahari Lodge, Kimberley. Down syndrome is a genetic disability whereby instead of having 46 chromosomes, people with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes which causes a delay in their intellectual and physical development.

The event not only aimed at educating the parents of children with Down syndrome of the medical challenges that their children are faced with but to also raise awareness on Down syndrome. The information by that was provided by Dr Moolman :occupational therapist, Dr Westbrook:speech therapist, Dr Payne:audiologist and Dr Du Plessis the physiotherapist. Dr Conradie also spoke about the genetics of people who have Down syndrome. The information provided made sure that the parents aware of the commonalities in children with Down syndrome and how to detect them in their own children should they portray these commonalities as well as the different role that each of the therapist play in the development and nurturing of children with down syndrome.

In addition and the highlight seeing the excitement of the children when receiving educational and fitness equipment to better equip them at home along with the parents coming together to agreeing as to attend a workshop to better equip themselves on how to handle their children as well as to volunteer to help out with children who have down syndrome. 

"My barn having burned down, I can see the moon." this is to say that even though we may go through challenges we should see the positive outcome of those challenges.