DISTRICT GAMES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CELEBRATE ABILITY AND INCLUSION IN IXOPO

Staff writer.

• ⁠Athletic excellence celebrated: Athletes from four municipalities showcased outstanding talent, resilience, and determination, reinforcing the message that disability does not limit ability.
• The Games served as a district selection platform and a vital tool for advancing empowerment, dignity, and equal participation for persons with disabilities.
• Held during DRAM2025, the games support government’s broader commitment, guided by the MTDP 2024–2029, to mainstream disability rights and build a disability-inclusive society through strategic partnerships.

The District Disability Games took centre stage on 13 November 2025 at the Jeffrey Zungu Sports Grounds in iXopo, uniting athletes from four local municipalities: Johannes Phumani Phungula, uMzimkhulu, Greater Kokstad, and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Serving as a district selection platform, the games provide opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete, showcase their abilities and represent their municipalities with pride. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development supported the initiative, working closely with partners and stakeholders to advance social inclusion, empowerment, and equal participation.

Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Hhombakazi Ndoba, a senior manager in the Harry Gwala District, commended participants and organisers for strengthening social inclusion through sport. “These games demonstrate that disability does not define a person’s ability,” she said. “They remind us of our collective responsibility to ensure that persons with disabilities are supported, empowered, and included in every sphere of life.”

The games took place during National Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), observed annually from 3 November to 3 December following cabinet approval in 2013. DRAM aims to showcase the capabilities, talents, and contributions of persons with disabilities, reinforcing their role as active and productive members of society.

This year’s campaign, DRAM2025, is being observed during a pivotal policy period. The Medium-Term Development Framework (MTDP) 2024–2029 provides renewed momentum for government to mainstream disability inclusion across all programmes and services, while also supporting national efforts to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The proposed theme for DRAM2025, “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society,” highlights the need for collaboration across government, civil society, and communities. It builds on the principles outlined in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the MTDP 2024–2029 pillars, emphasising a unified approach toward a more inclusive South Africa.