Service delivery by the State is poised to get even better, this with the launch of the Siyahlola Presidential Monitoring Programme aimed at improving the way basic services are provided to South Africans.
President Jacob Zuma launched the initiative in Mpumalanga where he was accompanied by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, Minister of Women, Children and People with Diasbility Lulu Xingwana as well as the Premier David Mabuza.
The programme was initiated as a result of the government’s decision to monitor and evaluate progress being made in service delivery within the provinces. President Jacob Zuma announced that the programme would serve as the platform of engagement, allowing every citizen to contribute to the improvement of the quality of service delivery in South Africa.
The Siyahlola Presidential Monitoring programme will give citizens an opportunity to comment on, commend as well as criticise the Government’s efforts towards South Africa’s development. Specific reference was made to people with disabilities as although the Government has managed to achieve its goals towards access to basic education, job creation, reduction of the wide spread of HIV and AIDS, less has been done to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
“Government has been elected by the people and thus should be taken to the people. This programme will allow us to do things differently; but more importantly it will give us the opportunity to gather our citizen’s views” President Zuma said.
“In order for the Government to provide the necessary care and support needed by all South Africans, it is imperative to engage citizens and solicit views that will enlighten the Government with regards to the challenges that they are facing as ordinary citizens of South Africa. We need to know what we are not doing right and what we can do better,” President Zuma remarked.
Among the issues raised by members of the public was a need for the Government to consider improving the conditions of schools for learners with disabilities. The community informed the President and other Ministers present that certain schools aimed at learners with disabilities are not yet conducive for learning.
The community requested the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, to introduce sign language in the school curriculum but; due to the shortage of teachers with the skill for sign language, the public advised the Minister to train more teachers in sign language.
“There should be proper resources for learners with disabilities”, said Mr Jace Nair, the National Executive Director of the South Africa National Council for the Blind.
“Access to basic education is essential to bridge the gap into the job market for people with disabilities. The Government has to work with the disability sector to ensure that all people with disabilities are taken care of” added Mr Nair.
The founder of Chaeli Campaign, Ms Chaeli Mycroft expressed her excitement about South Africa recognising a month for people with disability. “However, disability is not just for a month, it is every day of our lives,” she said. According Ms Mycroft, people with disabilities should be prioritised in Government and internationally. She advised the President to ensure that no learners with disabilities are deprived of opportunities to receive basic education in this country. “It should not be assumed that challenges faced by people with disabilities are too much to overcome”, she continued. Ms Mycroft indicated that everyone can succeed in their lives as long they are committed and dedicated towards their targeted goals.
The President promised those who were present that the government will ensure that it adheres to the concerns raised during the programme.
