LIMPOPO DSD ADVANCES DISABILITY RIGHTS WITH COMPREHENSIVE POLICY FRAMEWORK AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Mashudu Mzimba 

• The Limpopo Department of Social Development (DSD) reaffirms its commitment to empowering people with disabilities, aligning with the 7% employment target and Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) initiatives.
• The new Draft Policy on Social Development Services for Persons with Disabilities builds on South Africa’s commitments to international conventions and the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring consistent, rights-based service delivery.
• Extensive public consultations across the country, including three hearings in Limpopo, have shaped the policy, reflecting the real needs and experiences of South Africans with disabilities as DSD pledges to enhance inclusivity, funding, and interdepartmental collaboration.

During the handover of the provincial report on the 2023 Public Hearings and Gazetting process for the Policy on Social Development Services to Persons with Disabilities, held in Thohoyandou, Venda, Limpopo, on 08 November 2024, Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Mme Florence Radzilani, reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the rights and needs of people living with disabilities. She expressed, “I had an in-depth engagement with Limpopo Premier Mme Phophi Ramathuba, where we committed ourselves to work tirelessly, especially towards achieving the 7% employment target for people living with disabilities.”

The report handover coincides with Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), established by the government in 2013, which runs from 3 November to 3 December, culminating in the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This observance underscores the importance of disability rights and improved quality of life for persons with disabilities, reflecting both international and national standards.

Ms. Dudu Setlatjile, Chief Director of Social Welfare Services for the Limpopo Department of Social Development (DSD), shared insights on the impact of DRAM in South Africa. “This year, DRAM is especially significant as it aligns with the 30th anniversary of democracy in South Africa,” Setlatjile noted. “Under the theme, ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy: Creating a Disability-Inclusive Society for a Better Quality of Life and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,’ we’re highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusivity as a pillar of social justice.”

At the core of this year’s DRAM is the Draft Policy on Social Development Services for Persons with Disabilities, which reinforces South Africa’s adherence to international conventions, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ratified in 2008, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ratified in 2018. Ms. Setlatjile pointed to these conventions as the cornerstone of South Africa’s disability rights strategy.

She further explained the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, issued in 2015 by the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities. “The White Paper serves as a foundational document guiding policy development, programme design, and budget allocations across government sectors, ensuring consistent service provision that respects disability rights,” she said. “The current Draft Policy, developed since 2010, provides a targeted framework for social development services, setting the stage for new legislation and funding.”

The policy refinement has involved extensive public consultation, with 28 hearings held nationwide. “In Limpopo alone, we conducted three hearings across different districts, gathering insights from community members, NGOs, and stakeholders. Written submissions allowed for wider participation,” Ms. Setlatjile explained. “This inclusive approach is essential for creating a policy that reflects the real experiences and needs of South Africans with disabilities.”

In closing, Ms. Setlatjile affirmed the Limpopo DSD’s commitment to advancing disability rights. “We’re embedding disability awareness into all our programmes, championing policy integration across departments, and advocating for increased funding and development agency partnerships,” she stated. “Through our collective efforts, South Africa is on the path to creating a society that champions diversity, inclusion, and equality for all, especially for those living with disabilities.”