The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature shall host the Parliament for People with Disabilities on Friday, 16 November 2012, under the theme “removing barriers to create an inclusive & accessible society for all”. The Parliament for People with Disabilities constitutes one of the main Sectoral Parliaments, which the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature annually hosts.
Section 118 of the Constitution mandates the Legislature to facilitate and promote public participation and public education in all its processes. This Sectoral Parliament provides a platform for engagement between the public elected representatives and people with various forms of disabilities from across the province. Sectoral Parliaments play an important role in the efforts of the Legislature to extend participation in its work to all parts of the population, irrespective of age, class, gender, race or religion.
The rights of the people living with disabilities are enshrined in Chapter 2 of the constitution through the Bill of Rights. Consequently, Rule 18.1 of the Standing Rules of Procedure of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature enables the institution to recognise and acknowledge all sectors of the communities of the Eastern Cape by hosting Sectoral Parliaments on a rotational basis every financial year. This is the Legislatures’ attempt to be inclusive in how the institution conducts its business.
Expected to attend the event are the MECs, MPLs, Mayors and Speakers from District and Metropolitan municipalities, Heads of Departments and a number of organisations supporting government.
Esteemed members of the media are invited to attend the event to take place as follows:
Date: Friday, 16 November 2012
Time: 09h00
Venue: Raymond Mhlaba Chamber
Kindly note that a media briefing is scheduled for Friday, 16 November 2012, Noninzi Luzipho Committee Room at 08h30.
