With South Africa set to take on the important role of G20 Chair for 2025, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) has shared some key concerns at the lack of real progress in G20-related processes and activities with disability inclusion.
In particular, South Africa’s G20 presidency is timely as the country has made important policy commitments to a rights-based disability agenda as a result of its ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as domestic legislation.
Yet the framework enabling such implementation has not been seen through, especially in the backdrop of the G20 chairmanship, says DPSA.
Mr. Patrick Mahlakoane, National Chairperson of DPSA, added, “Commitments made to disability inclusion are meaningless without action. There is a very troubling trend where disability gets a mention but no substantive actions to make sure that persons with disabilities can equally participate in and benefit from the G20 processes.”
About 7.5% of South Africa’s population has one form of disability or another and faces numerous barriers in the form of access to education, jobs, and social participation.
Despite progressive policies on paper, disability-owned businesses represent less than 1% of government procurement, and accessible infrastructure remains inadequate nationwide.
DPSA has pinpointed several crucial imperatives for the G20:
- General accessibility to all information, venue, and events related to G20
- Include universal design through procurement policies for G20 services and venues
- Disability-owned businesses affirmative procurement measures
- Formal D20 Engagement Group creation
- Disability-inclusive decision-making, implementation, and resource allocation
The organization also notes that, as of early March 2025, no G20-related procurement specifications mandate universal accessibility for venues and services. In addition, G20 engagement group communications are mostly inaccessible, hindering many persons with disabilities’ participation in large numbers.
“With its role in hosting this major global forum, South Africa has a unique role to play in demonstrating disability inclusion leadership,” Mahlakoane said. “We can’t just keep going with business as usual where persons with disabilities are an afterthought. Real inclusion needs intentionality, investments, and accountability.”
DPSA has announced a DPSA D20 Virtual Stakeholder Workshop scheduled for March 12, 2025, to mobilize all and advance advocacy efforts.
The organization urges government, civil society, and the private sector to move beyond rhetoric and take immediate action to ensure disability inclusion throughout the G20 process.
Media Contact:
Mr Patrick Mahlakoane: National Chairperson -, Disabled People South Africa, Email: dpsa.g20@gmail.com ; gillian@dpsa.co.za
