KWAZULU-NATAL RECEIVES FINAL DISABILITY POLICY REPORT FROM DEPUTY MINISTER HENDRICKS

By Precious Mupenzi

• As South Africa deepens its culture of social justice and human rights, it must ensure no person with a disability is left behind – not in education, not in employment, and not in society.
• Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks handed over a provincial report on the Draft Policy on Social Development Services for Persons with Disabilities during an official event in KwaZulu-Natal on 25 March 2025.
• Extensive consultations in Ilembe, Ugu, and Ladysmith provided invaluable insights that deepened the understanding of the everyday struggles and aspirations of persons with disabilities.

“This is not the end, it is the beginning of a collaborative journey towards a society where persons with disabilities enjoy full rights, opportunities, and dignity.”

These were the words of Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks during the handover in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, of a provincial report on the Draft Policy on Social Development Services for Persons with Disabilities, as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building an inclusive South Africa.

Praising the inclusive nature of the provincial hearings on the draft policy, Hendricks emphasised the urgency of turning policy into lived realities.

“As we deepen a culture of social justice and human rights, we must ensure no person with a disability is left behind – not in education, not in employment, not in society,” he said.

Addressing a gathering that included parents, caregivers, non-profit organisations (NPOs), members of the disability sector, and officials from various government departments, Hendricks said the occasion was not just about the handover of a document, but about honouring a commitment to transform lives and systems. 

“We gather here not just to mark a handover, but to reaffirm our shared commitment to mainstreaming disability within all government programmes,” he said. “This report captures the lived realities, hopes, and challenges of persons with disabilities, their families, and the organisations that support them. Now, we must act.”

The report is the culmination of extensive consultations held in Ilembe, Ugu, and Ladysmith over recent months.

Through these public hearings, the Department of Social Development collected valuable insights that not only shaped the content of the report but also deepened the understanding of the everyday struggles and aspirations of persons with disabilities.

Hendricks praised the national Department of Social Development for honouring its promise to return to the province with the final report, noting that such transparency strengthens trust and drives real change.

Among the pressing issues highlighted in the report are the limited employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, despite existing policy commitments.

Creating a tangible impact

Hendricks stressed that the time has come to move beyond policy promises and create tangible employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors. He called for inclusive employment programmes to be strengthened and vocational training initiatives to be expanded so that people with disabilities can access dignified work and economic participation.

Equally concerning is the situation of children with disabilities, who continue to face significant barriers in accessing education, healthcare, and early intervention services.

Hendricks said these services must be improved and expanded to ensure that every child with a disability is able to reach their full potential and participate fully in society.

The report also brings to light the enormous challenges faced by parents and caregivers of children with disabilities.

Hendricks acknowledged the emotional, financial, and social burden many of them carry and said that they require targeted support, including financial assistance, psychosocial services, and access to reliable information and education.

Another area of concern raised during the consultations was the limited accessibility of services for persons with sensory disabilities.

The deputy minister said the demand for assistive devices, sign language interpretation, and braille materials was particularly strong. “No one should be left behind due to lack of access,” he emphasised, underscoring the urgent need to invest in technologies and services that promote communication and mobility.

The report also underscores the critical role of NPOs in the disability sector.

These organisations often deliver essential services where government reach is limited. However, they face ongoing funding challenges.

Hendricks said it is imperative to develop sustainable funding models that will ensure their continued operation and impact. “Sustainable and transparent funding structures must be established to support the disability sector’s work,” he said.

Implementing the high-level action plan

To ensure disability is not treated as an isolated issue, Hendricks called on the Office of the Premier to take the lead in coordinating the implementation of the high-level action plan.

He urged the premier to work closely with the provincial Department of Social Development to facilitate interdepartmental collaboration and accountability.

He also laid out a series of priority actions to translate the report into meaningful change. These include strengthening policy implementation through regular progress reviews and accountability mechanisms, reinforcing employment equity targets, expanding rehabilitation and community-based support services, launching public awareness campaigns to shift societal attitudes, and ensuring equitable funding for NPOs.

Importantly, Hendricks emphasised that persons with disabilities are not merely passive recipients of policy but must be active partners in shaping and monitoring implementation.

“The disability sector is not just a beneficiary of government policies but an active partner in shaping and monitoring their impact,” he said.

He called on advocacy groups, organisations, and individuals with disabilities to serve as both collaborators and watchdogs, holding all stakeholders accountable to the commitments made.

He also highlighted the need to support community-led solutions and grassroots initiatives. “Community-led solutions to disability challenges lie within the communities themselves,” he said. “We must leverage grassroots organisations to co-create interventions that truly meet the needs of persons with disabilities.”

Hendricks closed his address with a call for collective action, stressing that the government cannot achieve inclusion alone.

“We must work together – government departments, the private sector, civil society, and communities – to dismantle barriers and create an inclusive society. Let us not just commit to action today but sustain this momentum in the months and years to come,” he said.

The event has ignited hope for real progress in the lives of persons with disabilities in KwaZulu-Natal and across the country.

As the work begins in earnest, all eyes will be on the implementation of the report’s recommendations and the shared commitment to making inclusivity a lived reality.