The meeting forms part of the Department’s ongoing consultation with key stakeholders in the social development sector. Part of the meeting was to focus on new pieces of legislation that came into operation early this year and how these impact on people with disabilities.
“The process of developing and implementing legislation is not an end in itself. There is a need for the department to popularise laws to affected parties to foster more understanding among those affected. Therefore these laws must be unpacked and simplified focusing more on important points rather than technical terms,” said Ms Dlamini.
Among others, this meeting was also inspired by the recent Minister and the MECs (MINMEC) visit to various Early Childhood Development centres in North West province. During the visits MINMEC encouraged members of the local communities to enrol children, particularly children with disabilities for Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes or specialised services for children with disabilities.
The meeting also focused on how best to strengthen relations between the department and NGOs. The NGOs outlined that it was important for them and the department to align their programmes, including services rendered to children, people with disabilities and older persons.
Equally, they encouraged the department to increase the coverage of its services to semi-urban and rural areas throughout the country. The meeting resolved that all Acts affecting these stakeholders will be translated in all official languages, including Braille to ensure that people with disabilities have access to information.
The Deputy Minister called on the NGOs to assist in mobilising communities to report cases of abuse of older persons, children and people with disabilities. In addition, she urged them to ensure that their caregivers who provide services to these groups have the necessary capacity to render appropriate and effective services.
It was agreed that this meeting will take place on a quarterly basis.
For enquiries contact:
Mandla Mathebula
Chief Director: Communications
Cell: 083 282 6133
