Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu unveils a disability development centre for children in KwaZulu-Natal
The Deputy Minister of the Department of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will on Friday 14 September unveil a fully-fledged disability development centre in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Nombuso Disability Development Centre was built and equipped with specialised facilities through a strategic partnership with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the MTN SA Foundation.
In 2016, the Department of Social Development and ACSA have embarked on a Centre Transformation Project called Izingane Ku Qala which, although focusing on ensuring that disabled persons are accommodated for at community centres, will specifically ensure that children between the ages of 0 - 5 with disabilities have access to inclusive Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres once their developmental needs have been established.
The project, through community mobilisation, also champions disability awareness programmes and parent empowerment, identifies children with disabilities between the ages of 0 - 8 years that are not enrolled in any formal ECD programmes, and channels these children to existing community-based programmes.
Section 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa protects the rights of all children. These rights underlie all decision-making with regard to legislation, policies and programmes in South Africa. Article 7 of the UNCRPD requires of States Parties to:
- take all necessary measures to ensure the full enjoyment by children with disabilities of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children
- ensure that the best interests of the child be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children with disabilities
- ensure that children with disabilities have the right to express their views freely on all matters affecting them, their views being given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity, on an equal basis with other children and be provided with disability and age-appropriate assistance to realise that right.
The National Development Plan 2030 requires the Department of Social Development to systematise guidelines, norms and standards to ensure that they take into account the needs of children with disabilities in all communities.
The Disabled Children's Action Group (DICAG) - an organisation of parents of disabled children, was brought on board as a major partner in order to ensure implementation of Pillar 6 which is about strengthening of the representative voice of persons with disabilities.
Members of the media are invited to explore the Nombuso Disability Development Centre and cover the launch as follows:
Date: 14 September 2018
Venue: Nombuso Disability Development Centre, Sonkombo Village, Ndwedwe – KwaZulu Natala
Time: 10.30am
Media can RSVP:
Justice Malapane
Cell: 066 480 6849
E-mail: JusticeD@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
