National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) reiterates its plans to support young people with disabilities on Thursday, 3 December 2009; the world will observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day aims to create awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities, their rights and the importance of integrating them in our communities.
The 2009 theme is, “Making the millennium development goals inclusive: empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world.” The millennium development goals are eight important development challenges that must be addressed by the global community; they include poverty, healthcare, education and environmental concerns.
According to the United Nations, for the millennium development goals to be achieved they must include persons with disabilities, who according to the World Bank make up ten percent of the world’s population and 20% of global poverty.
In 2007 the former Umsobomvu Youth Fund, now operating as the National Youth Development Agency commissioned research as a basis for developing a disability framework for the employment, management and provision of reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities within UYF itself. The research revealed that a large number of people with disabilities remain unemployed and physical access to services and opportunities remains a big challenge for people with disabilities who would otherwise be in a position to take advantage of opportunities presented by the growing South African economy.
As a result, ensuring that young people with disabilities are actively involved in the economy, forms part of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) mandate. The appointment of Mcebo Khumalo, the Deputy National Chairperson of Disabled Youth South Africa and National Council member of Disabled People South Africa as a Non-Executive Board Member of the NYDA board was the beginning in the fulfilment of this mandate.
In spite of his visual impairment, Khumalo is pursuing his dreams and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Howard Campus majoring in Political Science with Economic History and Development Studies as his sub-majors.
In the past Mcebo has worked as an Educator and has run his own driving school business. “The NYDA will reach out to all young people through targeted and integrated programmes, but particularly to those who come from a disadvantaged background or have a disability. A disability should not prevent any young person from achieving their dreams,” Khumalo concluded.
For enquiries:
Refilwe Mphane
National Youth Development Agency
Tel: 011 651 7175
Cell: 084 308 5860
Siyabonga Magadla
National Youth Development Agency
Cell: 083 686 9016
Issued by: National Youth Development Agency
3 December 2009
Source: National Youth Development Agency (http://www.nyda.gov.za)
