Programme Director;
Honourable Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize;
Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Ms Lulu Xingwana;
Mr Wilfredo Guzman Jara, Chairperson for Disabled Persons’ International;
Mr Muzi Nkosi, Chairperson for Disabled People South Africa;
Ms Judith Heumann, US Department of State Special Advisor for International Disability Rights;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
It is my pleasure to be part of this important gathering, the Eighth World Assembly of the Disabled People International. This is indeed a crucial platform to advance the course of people with disabilities, but also to reflect on the road we have travelled thus far in pushing forward their agenda. In the South African context, many people with disabilities, particularly blacks, had to endure double-discrimination during the apartheid era both on the basis of colour and disability.
This was, by all measures, the worst form of discrimination against people with disabilities, who are equally able human beings. It is for this reason, amongst others, that the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) mobilised people to fight against oppression on the basis of both colour and disability during apartheid.
The advent of democracy ushered in a new era of hope, unity and a caring society. We have since 1994 espoused ethos and principles of human rights. The government led by the African National Congress (ANC) continues to champion these principles guided by the aspirations of the Freedom Charter, which proclaims that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it…”
Our Constitution finds its basis from this historic document, thus enshrining the rights of all persons and proclaiming them as human rights. These include the rights of the vulnerable members of our society such as children, older persons and people with disabilities. We continue to pursue the vision of the Freedom Charter by developing and implementing policies that seek to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights as the entire population.
In our view, people with disabilities must have equal opportunities like everyone else. They must have access to employment, education and training, as well as business opportunities - and be able to participate in different affairs of society. They must be able to unleash their potential in the field of sports, like we have seen with icons such as Oscar Pistorious and Natalie du Toit.
Equally, they must also participate in community organisations, in churches as well as politics – without any form of discrimination whatsoever. Their active involvement in these spheres will ensure that there is nothing about them, without them. Since 1994, we have passed a number of legislations which seek to ensure the full participation of people with disabilities in the life of our country.
These include the Labour Relations Act that makes it an unfair labour practice to discriminate against disabled persons. We also have the Employment Equity Act which protects people with disabilities against unfair discrimination on the ground of their disability and entitles them to affirmative action. This was largely to ensure that disability does not diminish the right of people to take their rightful place in the workplace.
In a quest to speed up the implementation of these legislations and other related policies, South Africa has signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in 2007. The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Responding to questions in Parliament last month, President Jacob Zuma mentioned that in order to ensure the proper implementation of the Convention, government is developing a National Disability Policy and its Implementation Guidelines. In addition, President Zuma said: “Work is also under way to develop a Disability Act which will deal with the enforcement, non-compliance and implementation of the convention as well as all disability related policies of the land.”
We acknowledge that people with disabilities continue to face many challenges. These include education (which mostly affect children with disabilities), transport and employment opportunities. I know that the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities is looking into these matters through an audit of all special schools in respect of education, and the National Accessibility Campaign which focuses on reasonable accommodation at the work place, public transport and access to information and assistive devices.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The 2010 report of the Employment Equity Commission revealed that South Africa had only 0,9 per cent of employees with disability. This is in insufficient given that we have a target of 2 per cent employment equity for people with disabilities. In the Department of Social Development, we have achieved the target and we currently stand at 2, 3 per cent with regard to employment equity for people with disabilities.
Creating employment opportunities alone is inadequate. Employers must ensure integration of workers with disabilities in the workplace by providing the necessary equipment such as assistive devices as well as accommodation adjustments to create an environment in which they will shine and flourish.
As the Department of Social Development, we are committed to provide social protection and welfare services to the vulnerable members of our society, including people with disability. We have therefore aligned our policies and programmes with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in order to improve upon and ensure the delivery of special services to people with disabilities. In particular, our social assistance programme continues to shield people with disabilities from poverty.
Currently, more than 980 000 people with disabilities receive the disability grant, while over 122 000 children with disabilities receive the care dependency grant to help their care givers look after them. In addition, more than 245 000 persons with temporary disability receive the temporary disability grant. We have no doubt that these grants make a difference in the lives of all beneficiaries.
In conclusion, I want to thank the organisers of this World Assembly. In particular, we must encourage the Disabled People South Africa for the good work they are doing. Their contribution and leadership on matters affecting people with disabilities will indeed guide us to ensure a comprehensive approach that takes into account the human rights and development of people with disabilities.
As government and the Department of Social Development, we support the Disabled People International’s Eighth World Assembly.
Thank you.
