KwaThema – Community leaders and people with disabilities shared ideas to improve their lives in their communities.
The event was filled with ideas on self-correctness and an action-driven programme that seeks to champion the United Nations’ priorities in inclusion and meaningful participation by people with special needs.
The initiative was held by the Living Able Foundation under the theme Tangible Implementations of Policy for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the Office of the Chief in the City of Ekurhuleni on Valentine’s Day at KwaThema Old Age Home.
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This was one of the similar events held across nine zones of Ekurhuleni on the day.
Founder of Living Able Foundation Katlego Mkhonza says through the initiative they were able to voice their frustration.
“We are hopeful that the dialogue will not just be talk and something is done to implement the suggested solutions.
“The problems we are facing as disabled people in this country is that we come up with good ideas to improve our lives, but lack implementation,” she explains.
Matshidiso LSEN School principal Thapelo Tshetlo appealed to government to consider learners with special needs when there are job opportunities because they are trainable.
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Addressing the people with disabilities, chief whip of council Jongizizwe Dlabathi urged public representatives and leaders of various structures in our communities to play a meaningful role and lead in championing the issues of persons with disabilities.
“Inclusion is key to our world.
“There is absolutely no reason to exclude anyone – whether they are a woman, youth, disabled or because of their faith, race or where they are from,” he explains.
Two years ago, Ekurhuleni caucus passed a motion to prioritise people with disabilities when allocating decent human settlement.
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“A commitment to build 100 000 houses and 59 000 serviced stands for qualifying Ekurhuleni residents.
“However, we are disappointed that the representation of two per cent employment by the municipality is not reflected in our occupation data.
“The metro has employed more than 17 000 employees; however, it is highly disappointing that we are still far from the metro’s two per cent target, as there are only 116 out of the current employed staff,” he adds.
Participants raised various issues, which include access to public transport, government infrastructure that are not inclusive, houses, skills development and job opportunities.
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