The writings of six mentally retarded people in South Africa are used to illustrate issues relating to the social construction of mental retardation. It is argued that labeling people as mentally retarded may not be to their benefit and that many so labeled individuals are aware of their needs and able to express them. (Author/DB)

This paper urges the radical restructuring of specialized education in South Africa through discussion of two issues: (1) exclusionary and disabling identity-construction; and (2) the educational needs of the many poverty-stricken children and those for whom English is a second language. (DB)