DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY, SAYS DEPUTY MINISTER HENDRICKS

• Key to advancing the rights and upholding the dignity of persons with disabilities is for all sectors of South Africa’s society to work together to create opportunities for all persons with disabilities.
• Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks was in KwaZulu-Natal to officially hand over the provincial report on public hearings on the Draft Policy on Services to Persons with Disabilities.
• Disability activists, organisations, and representatives of persons with disabilities across KwaZulu-Natal attended the handover ceremony.

Disability is not inability, Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks said as he handed over the provincial report on public hearings on the Draft Policy on Services to Persons with Disabilities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Addressing the official handover ceremony on 25 March 2025, he urged all sectors of South Africa’s society to work together to create opportunities for all persons with disabilities, saying this is key to advancing the rights and upholding the dignity of persons with disabilities.

“In the past, persons with disabilities worked in protective workshops and produced quality furniture, which was sold in retail stores – part of what we need to do as we address poverty and high levels of unemployment among persons with disabilities. Reviving the protective workshops will ensure that we create the much-needed job opportunities for persons with disabilities,” added Hendricks.

In addition, the deputy minister urged the Offices of the Premiers, which exercise oversight on disability matters, to play their oversight role in the implementation of the high-level action plan. All provincial governments are required to implement the plan to ensure accountability and implementation by all provinces and key stakeholders.

The handover ceremony was attended by disability activists and organisations and representatives of persons with disabilities across KwaZulu-Natal.

There was consensus that while South Africa has made great strides in the last 30 years with strong policies and legislation put in place, there is still much more that can be done to protect and promote the human rights of over three million persons with disabilities in South Africa.

“It is important to prioritise the training of front-line workers, including social workers, as part of building inclusive and accessible services for persons with disabilities,” said Sophie Molifi from the national Department of Social Development as she presented the Disability Public Hearings Report. Her comments were based on the provincial concerns and matters raised during the public hearings. 

Focusing on the thematic areas of mainstreaming, inclusivity and accessibility; education, capacity building, and skills development; employment and socio-economic empowerment; social development support services, care and protection services, and access to funding; and social awareness and advocacy, the report highlights areas that require attention:

• employment opportunities for persons with disabilities;
• responsive services for children with disabilities;
• support and empowerment of parents and caregivers;
• accessible services for persons with sensory disabilities; and
• adequate funding for the non-profit organisation’s (NPO) sector.

Overall, various disability stakeholders and organisations in attendance, such as Epilepsy Foundation South Africa, eThekwini Disability Sector, and National Disability Society, expressed appreciation.

Their concerns range from support needed for NPOs and a lack of understanding and support for persons with disabilities by some government agencies and institutions, such as the South African Social Security Agency and district municipalities. 

The disability sector calls for more cooperation between all spheres of government, its agencies, and the disability sector.

A lack of representation of persons with disabilities within disability decision-making committees, and assessments to determine whether persons with disabilities are eligible for social grants were also raised as issues that require immediate attention.