His Excellency the President of Zambia
His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Africa
The first ladies of our two countries
Ministers and deputy ministers of Zambia and South Africa
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great honour for all of us who work in the disability sector to host two Heads of States as we mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This is the first of its kind for our country and we could not have asked for more. We truly appreciate the value that our Hounarable Presidents put on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities in the busy schedule of the current state visit.
International Day for Persons with Disabilities is commemorated on 3 December every year to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities. Today, we highlight the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.
The international theme for this year is:
"Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) towards 2015 and beyond"
In South Africa, we have adapted this theme to highlight the approach that our government is taking in addressing the various challenges facing our people under the slogan – working together we can do more. Our national emphasis is also on putting measures in place to ensure that the ideals of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are realized in South Africa.
Our national theme therefore is:
Keeping the promise: Working together towards the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Adelaide Tambo Development Centre that you are visiting today, Your Excellencies, is a typical example of this partnership between government and the community to address the social challenges facing us.
The Centre was established in 2004 as a not-for-profit organisation after various developmental challenges were identified in the community of Watville and surrounding areas. It offers various programme aimed at creating economic opportunities and skills development. It serves as a referral point for various services required by the community and builds community capacity to respond to challenges such as HIV and AIDS, substance abuse and crime. Government contributes around R800 000 annually to the Centre through the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development.
Programme director, Your Excellencies, centres of this nature require more support to be able meet a significantly high demand for services in our communities and to enable our countries to achieve the ideals of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
South Africa is the 8th Country in the list of states Parties to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention became necessary because of persons with disabilities continued being denied their human rights and were kept on the margins of society in all parts of the world. This discrimination against persons with disabilities highlighted the need to adopt a legally binding instrument which set out the legal obligations on States to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Convention sets out the many steps that States must take to create an enabling environment so that persons with disabilities can enjoy real equality in society.
This includes:
- Adoption of legislation and administrative measures to promote the human rights of persons with disabilities and abolish discrimination
- Protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in all policies and programmes
- Ensure that the public and private sector as well as individuals respect the rights of persons with disabilities
- Encourage research and development of accessible goods, services and technology for persons with disabilities including assistive technology
- And lastly, consult with and involve persons with disabilities in development and implementation of legislation and policies and in decision-making processes that concern them.
Your Excellencies, your visit here this morning strengthen our resolve and courage to ensure that significant progress is made towards the protection and promotion of rights of persons with disabilities in our respective countries and the continent of Africa as a whole.
With these few words, you are all welcome to Adelaide Tambo Development Centre.
Thank you.
Source: Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
