SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND DISABILITY SECTOR JOIN HANDS TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE EASTERN CAPE

• The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development launched the Provincial Disability Forum in Gqeberha to strengthen collaboration with the disability sector and integrate the voices of persons with disabilities into government policymaking and service delivery.
• The forum, attended by around 100 persons with disabilities, aims to address key challenges in the sector, including employment equity, accessibility, and stigma reduction, aligning with the National Disability Rights Awareness Month initiative.
• With support from MEC Bukiwe Fanta, the forum will focus on implementing a provincial action plan to enhance the rights, inclusion, and well-being of persons with disabilities across the Eastern Cape.

Recently, the Department of Social Development reaffirmed its commitment to building a caring and inclusive society with the launch of the Provincial Disability Forum at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. Reflecting the prominent disability rights slogan, “nothing about us without us,” the forum brings together representatives from across the disability sector, with participation from various organisations across all six districts of the Eastern Cape.

Approximately 100 persons with disabilities attended the launch, contributing their collective voice, expertise, and lived experiences to inform government policymaking and service delivery. The launch forms part of the Department’s National Disability Rights Awareness Month programme, running from 3 November to 3 December. This month-long initiative includes the handover of provincial reports on public hearings held during the development of the Draft Policy on Social Development Services for Persons with Disabilities. The policy aims to mainstream disability issues across all programmes, improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities through community-based services, addressing stigma and discrimination, and strengthening families and communities as the first line of support in promoting disability rights.

Mr Yonwaba Ntsabo, a prominent activist and newly elected Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Disability Forum, highlighted the need for collaboration between government and the private sector to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. “The unemployment rate among persons with disabilities remains unacceptably high, and those in employment often face barriers that limit their potential, as employers frequently do not comply with reasonable accommodation. One of the forum’s immediate priorities is to hold provincial government departments accountable to meet the minimum 2% employment equity target for persons with disabilities in the public sector,” Ntsabo stated.

The launch of the forum coincides with the release of Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of 2024, which shows an increase in employment, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where 83,000 new jobs have been reported.

Ms Nozibele Mtshutshane, representing Equal Citizens of Short Stature – Southern Africa, shared her childhood experiences of discrimination as a person of short stature and welcomed the forum’s establishment. “We are hopeful that the Provincial Disability Forum, the first of its kind in the province, will unify and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities, their families, and organisations, strengthening the capacity of our organisations in the Eastern Cape to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities,” she said.

Receiving the provincial report, MEC Bukiwe Fanta congratulated the forum’s newly elected members and pledged her support in addressing the concerns raised during the public hearings. “I want to thank you all for being here today, for sharing the challenges you continue to face, and for your willingness to serve in this forum to help us serve you and your families better. Launching the Disability Forum during Disability Rights Awareness Month is intended to foster stronger engagement and partnership between government and the disability sector in our province,” said MEC Fanta.

“I look forward to working closely with the disability sector through this forum to address key issues raised during the public hearings, ensuring implementation of high-level actions from the report, which will help us measure progress towards our government’s vision of full participation and improved wellbeing for persons with disabilities and their families,” she concluded.