Awards, Nelspruit
30 November 2006
Programme Director
Acting Director General, Mighty Mgidi
The Executive Mayor of Mbombela Municipality, Councillor Justice Nsibande and
Executive Mayors present
Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Youth Commission, Sipho Shongwe
District Commissioner Dlamini
Our Private Sector Partners
Leaders of the Disabled People in the province
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is once again a pleasure to speak at this function to honour and
recognise deserving people who challenged and rose above adversity in order to
improve, not only their lives, but also those of fellow-citizens of Mpumalanga.
Indeed we have gathered to salute them for their insatiable drive for service
to the community, and for contributing in a meaningful way towards the delivery
of both improved services and a better quality of life.
The people we are honouring today are further proof that indeed in
Mpumalanga we have exceptional people who are committed to excellence and to
the highest ethical and professional values, as well as the spirit of
Vuk'uzenzele. Our celebrations today take place against the back-drop of our
continuing quest to engender in our communities respect for and the protection
of women and children in the context of the campaign of 16 Days Against
Violence on Women and Children in our Province.
December 3, the "International Day of Disabled Persons" as designated by the
United Nations, is a celebration of the abilities of people with a disability
all over the world. It is on this day, and all other subsequent days, that we
should all work hard to ensure that we empower people with a disability through
equal access and opportunities for everyone.
On this day we are called upon to reflect on issues of people with
disabilities in order to ensure that we give our support to efforts aimed at
achieving the level of independence and economic self-sufficiency which will
enable people with a disability to become useful and productive members of our
society. We must guarantee that persons with disabilities in both rural and
urban areas are empowered to exercise their human rights, particularly with
regard to employment. We should promote the full participation of persons with
disabilities in family life, including all aspects of cultural life.
In the past 12 years we have made marked progress, which at times may seem
slow and uneven. A number of positive changes have been made in areas such as
housing, education and income opportunities, which have served to enhance the
lives of the disabled. Government has been instrumental in formulating the
National Policy for Persons with Disabilities and we will continue to work with
the disabled community and the private sector to improve access.
Today we are able to watch, almost in disbelief, how people with
disabilities continue to be afforded equal opportunities and participating in
governance and administration. However, we need to acknowledge that the vast
majority of citizens who are disabled still live in conditions characterised by
poverty, hunger and starvation. They are also vulnerable to abuse and disease,
massive illiteracy, and many others social ills associated with
under-development.
That is why it is expected of us to double our efforts in ensuring that the
doors of learning and culture are thrown wide open for people with a
disability. Continuing action at all levels of society is needed to ensure that
persons with disabilities enjoy full and equal participation. We must work hard
to ensure that by 2014 we have made huge strides in ensuring that more persons
with disabilities have equal access to jobs, education, health, information and
other services. The conditions of life of those living with disabilities must
be an important indicator of the level of development our country has
attained.
This year's theme: "Empowering people with disabilities through equal
opportunities: e-accessibility" has been chosen in the light of the rapid
technological advances that seem not to have benefited the majority of people
who are visually impaired. It cannot be denied that access to information and
communication technology (ICT) has created opportunities for everyone.
Information and technological advances have been particularly meaningful for
persons with disabilities in that it has created mobility, employment
opportunities and serve as useful interpersonal communication.
But, many blind and visually impaired people are unable to use the Internet
given the design of websites. Some websites beam high rate flickers which can
have a negative effect on people with disabilities. What is worse is that ICT
training is often conducted in inaccessible formats and venues, thus ensuring
that most people with disabilities are denied access to this useful tool.
Persons with disabilities are at a considerable disadvantage by not being able
to access information technology. For instance, as education becomes
increasingly dependent on information technology, not being able to access the
Internet limits the learning potential of persons with disabilities. As is
rightly stated by focusing on e-accessibility, this year's Day of Disabled
Persons is intended to mobilise action to allow persons with disabilities to
participate in the global vision.
As Sarbuland Khan, Executive Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global
Alliance for ICT and Development said: "The new computer-based information
technologies have the potential for opening up a world of new opportunities for
persons with disabilities, but the problem is that new obstacles are preventing
many of these people from reaching their potential." Making information
technology available to persons with disabilities is not only a matter of human
rights -- it also makes good business sense. On this day let us all cherish the
fruits of our liberation struggle, which gave birth to a vision of a society
which upholds values of equality in a holistic way.
Before I sit down allow me to assure you once more that as government we
will continue to develop, maintain and strengthen our partnerships with
organised civil society, organisations of disabled persons and the private
sector. It is for these reasons that we want to acknowledge the role of the
private sector partners in making the Mpumalanga Province a better place for
all of us. The private sector also, has a huge role and an obligation towards
persons with disabilities. This sector can fulfil such a role without taking
over the responsibility from persons with disabilities or from Government. We
encourage the private sector to move more and more to the centre by assuming
specific responsibilities.
To the winners, accept our congratulations on behalf of the government and
people of Mpumalanga. You have already made us proud. Keep up the good
work.
Thank you very much
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
30 November 2006
