The Executive Committee of Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders (HTL) has held a meeting with the provincial executive committee of Mpumalanga Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA). HTL delegation was led by its Chairperson, Kgoshi Mathibela Mokoena and DPSA by its National Chairperson, Mr Robert Masambo and Provincial Chairperson, Mr Patrick Mahlakwana.
DPSA as an organisation advocating for the rights of people with disabilities felt that it is imperative for them to meet with HTL as they are leaders of communities. They are confident that Traditional Leaders can help in ensuring that mindsets towards disabled people are changed. As the organisation one of their aims is to ensure that challenges faced by disabled people are not only for DPSA but for the society as a whole.
Among challenges faced by disabled people are inaccessibility of some government buildings and social facilities in communities. There are still children that are not going to school due to their disabilities. The number of disabled people formally employed is still a major challenge. Traditional Leaders were also challenged to also employ disabled people in their Traditional Offices.
The HTL pledged their full support to DPSA and its programmes aimed at empowering people with disabilities in the province. HTL will engage with all Traditional Leaders in the province and urge them to support DPSA and give them platforms during the cultural functions, “Immemo”. Both parties agreed to formally enter into a partnership that will ensure that both organisations continue to work together in ensuring that people with disabilities equally enjoy dignity and human rights.
Contact person:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
