Ramaphosa promises to improve rights for persons with disabilities in SA

As President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday addressed the two-day summit on the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities in Ekurhuleni, he examined the locally-manufactured Ruby wheelchair, meant to make life easier for people with disabilities.

Founded by young Free State innovator and entrepreneur Ernest Majenge, Wheelchair Doctor pioneered the manufacturing of a wheelchair, which has wheels that make it easier it to go up and down a flight of stairs.

Majenge said the company, which is co-owned by Caroline Brown, has continued to “hone a specialist aptitude in the low-cost manufacturing and refurbishment of wheelchairs and walkers”.

He said: “Disability-inclusive economic development is an inalienable condition for a sustainable future in South Africa.

“At Wheelchair Doctor our economic development ethos is informed by an ambition to enable persons with disabilities to enjoy full and equal participation in all spheres of our society – creating enabling environments by, for and with entrepreneurial persons with disabilities.

“This is all in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“Ours is to come up with innovative solutions that positively contribute to a more inclusive society, where persons with disabilities can live independently,” said Majenge.

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The summit, hosted by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, is covering barriers in the economic landscape hindering persons with disabilities to access markets and funding – celebrating persons with disabilities in business to share experiences that inspire others.

In his keynote address, Ramaphosa said it was a concern that government has not managed “to fulfil our commitment to convene the Presidential Working Group on Disability at least once a year”.

“We are determined to correct this and to ensure that we intensify the work that must be done to advance the rights and improve the circumstances of persons with disabilities.

“There was no better way to celebrate International Persons with Disabilities Day this past Saturday than to hear about the recipients of the global 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards.

“This year, among the six recipients of this award was Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu, a member of our Presidential Working Group on Disability,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the national theme – ‘Empowering Persons with Disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environments’ – reflected “the need to take an approach to development that mainstreams disability”.

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Said Ramaphosa: “It (theme) calls for the effective implementation of policy frameworks to promote the unique needs, experiences and expertise of persons with disabilities.

“Despite these progressive frameworks, persons with disabilities remain largely marginalised and excluded from meaningful participation in the social, political and economic spheres.

“Since the location of responsibility for the rights of persons with disabilities was transferred from the Department of Social Development to the Presidency, there has been important progress to address these deficiencies.

“Areas of focus include advancing communication methods and developing practical technological solutions for persons with disabilities.

“To improve self-representation in decision-making, government has created a consultative platform through the National Disability Rights Machinery, provincial disability forums and representation in local government.”

More than 50 organisations and interest groups are participating in the summit ending on Friday – showcasing entrepreneurship and capacity-building opportunities for people with disabilities.