Doors to the Nombuso Disability Development Centre officially opened for the Ndwedwe community
There was much jubilation for the community of Ndwedwe when the Deputy Minister of the Department of Social Development, Mrs Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, handed keys of the Nombuso Disability Development Centre to the centre’s principal, Ms Nesta Mthethwa, and the Ilembe District community in KwaZulu-Natal.
The centre, which was built through efforts between the Department of Social Development, Airport Company South Africa (ACSA), the MTN Foundation, Hullet Tongaat, Bavelile Contractors, ESKOM, Lodestar Foundation, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), NDA, and Provincial Department of Social Development, accommodates 110 learners.
ACSA contributed R14 million towards the renovation of the centre which now boasts an array of facilities including a dining hall, five offices, two sick rooms and a playing area which is equipped with disability-friendly facilities.
The MTN Foundation donated a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, furnished with 22 computers with specialised software to cater for children with disabilities. The Foundation also donated 100 bicycles to assist learners in the surrounding areas who walk for many kilometres to get to school.
“We would like to thank Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu, ACSA and all the sponsors who contributed to the construction of this centre. Our children with disabilities will no longer be disadvantaged. The new classrooms will allow them enough space to be comfortable and to focus in class,” said one of centre’s teachers - Ms Mukelesiwe Mthembu.
Upgrades to the Nombuso Disability Development Centre are ongoing with the Early Childhood Development facilities to be fully refurbished before the end of the current financial year. ACSA will be donating a disability-friendly minibus to transport learners that use wheelchairs. The centre’s stimulation room will also be completed by the financial year end. SASSA registered 22 learners on care-dependency grants, 11 on disability grants and 12 on foster grants.
“You must give preference to the parents of the children who attend at this centre when you need to employ extra staff. You must also provide training in whatever field that will be vacant for employment to them,” said Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu when addressing the management of the centre.
Section 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa protects the rights of all children. These rights underpin all decision-making with regard to legislation, policies and programmes in South Africa. Article 7 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (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.
Media inquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
