The Department of Social Development's Budget Vote 2014 will be tabled in Parliament, Good Hope Chamber, by Minister Bathabile Dlamini on 16 July 2014 at 10h00.
The Department of Social Development has dedicated 2014 to highlighting the issues of people with disabilities and providing lasting solutions to the challenges they face. In line with this, the Budget Vote will seek to outline the work the department will be doing to advance disability rights.
Presenting the new administration for the next five years following the May election, President Jacob Zuma announced that issues of people with disabilities and children will henceforth fall under the mandate of the Department of Social Development.
During his June 17 State of the Nation Address, President Zuma also outlined Government's commitment to further consolidate the democratic gains by continuing to advance and improve the lives of people with disabilities over the next five years.
He said: "We will work with the Disability sector to identify key areas in which we should fulfil South Africa's role as signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocols."
President Zuma also said, during this term, Government will finalise the National Disability Rights Policy which includes the National Disability Rights Framework, which will guide Government action to promote a more inclusive society and to promote the involvement of people with disabilities in decision-making processes.
In order to advance this course as well as hear first-hand of the challenges confronting people with disabilities, Minister Dlamini will, immediately after delivering the Budget Vote, meet with representatives from national organisations for people with disabilities.
This dialogue will also give people with disabilities an opportunity to make direct input into the formulation of the department's agenda to advance disability rights. The Department will in due course present a draft programme of action to be implemented over the short to medium term.
The dialogue meeting will take place as follows:
Date: 16 to 17 July 2014
Time: 14h00 on July 16
09h00 on July 17
Place: Garden Court, Nelson Mandela Boulevard, Cape Town
Media is invited to Parliament for the tabling of the Budget Vote and to join the Minister on her dialogue meeting with people with disabilities.
For media RSVPs, please contact:
Jaconia Kobue
Cell: 073 026 1111
E-mail: jaconiak@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
