Agenda to develop South Africa futile unless rights of people with disability are recognised - North West Premier Thandi Modise
The agenda to develop and take South Africa forward will not materialize unless the rights of people leaving with disability are recognized, North West Premier Thandi Modise said earlier today in her keynote address at the start of a two-day Provincial Disability Rights Conference that is being held in Mahikeng.
“The conference must be seen as a re-commitment of the province to the welfare of people with disability. We accept that most people leaving with disability are probably poor, leaving in appalling and discriminated conditions, and often struggle to access social welfare services, all of which prevent them from claiming their rights as full citizens of this country,” said Premier Modise.
Modise said although South Africa has done a commendable job in the past twenty years, a lot still needs to be done to ensure that people with disabilities realize their full potential.
Speaking at the conference, Chairperson of Disabled People South Africa-North West, Auchalie Mothupi applauded the provincial government under the leadership of Premier Modise for the revised Job Assess Plan that is targeting the employment of over 1200 people with disabilities over the next seven months.
“Though access to public transport, buildings and housing still remain challenges, we are committed to work with government to address them as we have noted great strides towards meeting employment equity targets by the departments of economic development-conservation- environment and tourism, Education, Health and Human Settlements-Public Safety & Liaison,” said Mothupi who is also the Chairperson of the Provincial Committee on Local Government in the Provincial Legislature.
Mothupi commended the Premier has consistently pulled all the stops to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are promoted and protected.
Provincial Chairperson of the Disability Forum, Mpho Kodisang also congratulated the province for hosting the conference which he said was an important milestone for People with Disability.
“We salute you Madam Premier for convening this important conference. We take pride in your stewardship. The reconfiguration of the Department of Social Development and transfer of the Office of the Status of Persons with Disabilities to be located in your office for monitoring and evaluation after our last engagement with you has demonstrated your commitment to better the lives of people with disabilities,” said Kodisang.
Kodisang added however that it was imperative that government should make a concerted effort to ensure that people with disability live their lives to the fullest.
He made a passionate plea for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) means test to be reviewed to accommodate the special needs of people with disabilities, for enterprises established by people with disabilities to be funded and for people living with albinism to be provided with the sunscreen cream for their sensitive skin which he said was prone to cancer.
The conference, being held under the theme Break barriers, open doors for an inclusive society for all, is hosted by the North West Provincial Government through the Office on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (OSPD) located in the Office of the Premier.
The Conference ends on Friday, when delegates will be expected to emerge with a clear plan that will enable the province to accelerate work aimed at empowering people with disabilities.
The conference is also expected to endeavor to create alignment between disability plans and the National Development Plan and generate a Five Year Disability Rights Plan for the province.
Various government departments and entities were also available to conscientise delegates about services available for people living with disability.
Mmathabo Medupe from the provincial Department of Health brought along a team consisting of physiotherapist, occupational therapist ad audiologist to showcase the free services available from her department, and explain the procedure to access them.
Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Auhtority (W&RSETA), a public entity established to address skills development within the wholesale and retail sector was also on site to provide vital information on how people with disabilities could access their services, which include learnerships, graduate workplace experience and bursaries.
Winner of the North West Female Farmer of the Year 2013, 57-year-old Ntebo Sedikwe was amongst those who attended the conference and said that she felt honoured to be part of the conference.
“The conference provides an important platform for us to share our experiences and concerns as people with disability” said the partially sighted Sedikwe who heads the Chaneng Farming and Primary Cooperative for the Blind in Rustenburg.
Reverend David Phillips from Itsoseng said he was satisfied that the Premier’s speech touched on all major concerns that People with Disability would like to see addressed.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Provincial Head of Communication & Spokesperson: Office of the Premier
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
E-mail: Lkgwele@gmail.com
