Minister Chikunga at the DRAM launch
By Simon Manda
LENASIA , 11 November 2024
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, launched the 2024 Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) at the Johannesburg Council for the Disabled (JOCOD) in Lenasia, marking a significant milestone in South Africa’s disability rights journey.
As South Africa commemorates its 30th anniversary of democracy, the inauguration underscored the nation’s accomplishments and forthcoming obligations. Minister Chikunga underscored South Africa’s status as a global leader in disability inclusion during her address at the event.
She noted that that South Africa has been recognised as a respected champion of the global disability inclusion movement over the past 30 years as a result of a variety of policies, legislative instruments, and government initiatives. She also mentioned the recent recognition at the G7 Forum on Disability and Inclusion in Italy.
The Minister delineated a number of significant accomplishments in the field of disability inclusion:
• The recognition of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language
• The provision of free fundamental education to all persons with disabilities
• The National Student Financial Aid Scheme provides free higher education to youth from households earning less than R600,000
• Monthly grant distributions persons with disabilities
• The Public Procurement Act, which was recently signed, guarantees that government procurement encompasses enterprises owned by persons with disabilities.
Minister Chikunga underscored the substantial economic opportunity that public procurement presents for persons with disabilities, stating that it accounts for approximately 19% of consolidated government expenditure, which will amount to R1.5 trillion over the next three years.
The Minister announced several ambitious initiatives in the future, including the following:
-The application of a Research Chair on Disability and Inclusion to UNESCO
-The development of AI and emerging digital technologies to improve the well-being of persons with disabilities
-A comprehensive project to connect special schools with state-owned companies
-Plans to establish a G20 Disability Inclusion Forum at the ministerial level as South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency
The Minister recognised the persistent obstacles, recounting a recent experience from the Presidential Imbizo in Umgababa, KwaZulu-Natal: “A wheelchair-user disclosed that he is made to pay an additional fee for taxi rides in order to accommodate his mobility device.” This serves as both an additional financial encumbrance and a reminder of the necessity of collaborating with sectors such as transport to establish inclusive systems.
The event was held at JOCOD – a day protective workshop facility for adults with disabilities that has 390 beneficiaries. JOCOD’s comprehensive programs, which have been providing essential services since 1995, including social work support, skills development, and enterprise initiatives, were highlighted at the inauguration event.
“Your commitment to providing a holistic, essential, and value-added approach to transform and uplift the social, economic, and professional lives of persons with disabilities has been exemplary,” Minister Chikunga acknowledged JOCOD.
“Through dedicated programs like those at JOCOD, we can create a society where persons with disabilities are not only supported but celebrated for their contributions,” she added.
To conclude the disability month awareness campaign and to ensure that disability issues are prioritized at a national level, Minister Chikunga will present a ministerial statement in the National Assembly on 3 December 2024 for debate, allowing Parliament to engage on key objectives and future directions for disability inclusion.
Various government departments will implement a variety of initiatives throughout November, with a concentration on economic empowerment, the inclusion of children, progressive government, and safer communities, organised around weekly themes.
At event, the Minister was joined by key dignitaries and partners, including JOCOD’s Chairperson, Mr. Baker Amoojee; Director, Ms. Linda Ponnusammy; African Bank’s Head of Transformation, Ms. Elizabeth Ramashala; Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer, Ms. Edna Sathekhe Montse; Ward 8Councillor, Mr. Godfrey; Honourable Meagan Chauke, Member of Parliament and Whip of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities; and Director General Advocate Mikateko Maluleke.
