Date: 01/08/2003
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: C Mabuza: Limpopo Public Servants' Disability Forum
SPEECH BY MS CATHERINE MABUZA, MEC IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIMPOPO PREMIER, DURING THE LIMPOPO PUBLIC SERVANTS DISABILITY FORUM, 1 August 2003
Programme director, members of the Public Servants Disability Forum present here, my colleagues from EXCO and provincial Legislature, ladies and gentlemen
In the recent past the Statistics South Africa released the results of the second nationwide population census in our democratic country. In a more scientific way the results reflect that the government has over the past nine years of democratic rule registered a significant progress towards enhancing the living conditions of the people of our country.
Quite remarkable strides have been made in such crucial social and economic fields as education and employment. In their numbers our people have increasingly swelled the ranks of the labour market, and various education institutions are full of learners seeking to acquire more knowledge and skills.
Through the Integrated National Disability Strategy of 1997 people with disabilities are as well part of the mainstream beneficiaries of these positive spin-offs of our democracy and freedom. They too have begun to make an impact in the processes that seek to shape the future of this country.
Programme Director
In Limpopo alone, the Employment Equity Act and related progressive legislations are beginning to bear fruits. Our recent employment audit indicates that we have employed 374 people with disabilities, two of which occupy senior management positions in the provincial administration. On the other hand the national departments in our province have 64 people with disabilities in their employ.
In order to bring as many skilled and semiskilled disabled people as possible on board --- our Office on Status of Disabled Persons has developed a very comprehensive recruitment strategy. With this strategy, we are quite convinced and optimistic that, in not so distant future, we can reach a 2% employment target of the National Economic Development and labour Council.
The implementation of the Code of Ethics as provided for by the Department of Labour is also at an advanced stage. The conditions of service and employment for the people with disabilities have dramatically changed for the better. Besides adequate office facilities, about 61% of government buildings are disability friendly and 10 municipalities in the province have already established fully-fledged and functional disability desks.
The following week will see the Blouberg Municipality climbing the bandwagon and other municipalities are expected to do the same in the foreseeable future.
President Mbeki identified this sphere of government as a lead agent in terms of service delivery on the ground -- and we dare not disappoint him.
The Chairperson
Your forum in this case has a role to play. It should not only become an organisation for lamenting on the problems facing not only your selves but ourselves as well.
Instead it should be used as an instrument to advance the struggle to liberate our people from thinking that people with disabilities are different from the rest of others. You know very well that you are equally capable and you must prove those with contrary beliefs wrong.
The total elimination of constrains prone to people with disabilities should be your mode of operation and the leg on which you stand.
As I was preparing to come here, I went through your guidelines for this meeting and to my dismay you were only asking questions. Mr Chairperson I do not believe this approach is helping the situation, you should be providing answers than asking questions.
The challenges that lie ahead require no body else but your selves to take the lead.
The Bill of Rights, Promotion of Equity & Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, Employment Equity Act and Skills Development Act are amongst the progressive legislations that seek to better your conditions and yours should, therefore, be to ensure that they are properly implemented.
As you continue to conscientise and sensitise members of the public about the needs and aspiration of people with disabilities, you should, on the other hand, engage in socio-economic and political empowerment programmes that will make disabled people feel proud to identify with our democracy and freedom.
Both the government and private sector should be taken to task to ensure that these institutions target disabled people for skills development and job creation projects for self-reliance.
The cornerstone of the successful reintegration of people with disability into the mainstream of human activity is an open interaction with people in all spheres of life, sport and recreation included. And to that effect, the key element of your programme should be to make in-door and out-door sporting and recreational facilities accessible to your constituency.
Never again should our people with disabilities be treated as objects of pity and be hidden somewhere in the households. There are people who continue with these inhuman acts of keeping other people away from others. This is unacceptable and should come to an immediate end. Like all of us a person with disability is human must be treated as such.
Ladies and gentlemen
The respect for diversity of our nation and sensitivity to the needs of people with disability should find an unqualified expression in the nation we seek to build.
Together we must bring about a society distinguished by prevalence of new patriotism and a sense of renewed social morality.
Let us join government and recommit our selves to the creation of a nation that does not only cater for the needs of the disabled but also promote the principles of knowledge, acceptance, tolerance and non-discrimination.
I Thank You
Issued by the Limpopo Provincial Government
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: C Mabuza: Limpopo Public Servants' Disability Forum
SPEECH BY MS CATHERINE MABUZA, MEC IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIMPOPO PREMIER, DURING THE LIMPOPO PUBLIC SERVANTS DISABILITY FORUM, 1 August 2003
Programme director, members of the Public Servants Disability Forum present here, my colleagues from EXCO and provincial Legislature, ladies and gentlemen
In the recent past the Statistics South Africa released the results of the second nationwide population census in our democratic country. In a more scientific way the results reflect that the government has over the past nine years of democratic rule registered a significant progress towards enhancing the living conditions of the people of our country.
Quite remarkable strides have been made in such crucial social and economic fields as education and employment. In their numbers our people have increasingly swelled the ranks of the labour market, and various education institutions are full of learners seeking to acquire more knowledge and skills.
Through the Integrated National Disability Strategy of 1997 people with disabilities are as well part of the mainstream beneficiaries of these positive spin-offs of our democracy and freedom. They too have begun to make an impact in the processes that seek to shape the future of this country.
Programme Director
In Limpopo alone, the Employment Equity Act and related progressive legislations are beginning to bear fruits. Our recent employment audit indicates that we have employed 374 people with disabilities, two of which occupy senior management positions in the provincial administration. On the other hand the national departments in our province have 64 people with disabilities in their employ.
In order to bring as many skilled and semiskilled disabled people as possible on board --- our Office on Status of Disabled Persons has developed a very comprehensive recruitment strategy. With this strategy, we are quite convinced and optimistic that, in not so distant future, we can reach a 2% employment target of the National Economic Development and labour Council.
The implementation of the Code of Ethics as provided for by the Department of Labour is also at an advanced stage. The conditions of service and employment for the people with disabilities have dramatically changed for the better. Besides adequate office facilities, about 61% of government buildings are disability friendly and 10 municipalities in the province have already established fully-fledged and functional disability desks.
The following week will see the Blouberg Municipality climbing the bandwagon and other municipalities are expected to do the same in the foreseeable future.
President Mbeki identified this sphere of government as a lead agent in terms of service delivery on the ground -- and we dare not disappoint him.
The Chairperson
Your forum in this case has a role to play. It should not only become an organisation for lamenting on the problems facing not only your selves but ourselves as well.
Instead it should be used as an instrument to advance the struggle to liberate our people from thinking that people with disabilities are different from the rest of others. You know very well that you are equally capable and you must prove those with contrary beliefs wrong.
The total elimination of constrains prone to people with disabilities should be your mode of operation and the leg on which you stand.
As I was preparing to come here, I went through your guidelines for this meeting and to my dismay you were only asking questions. Mr Chairperson I do not believe this approach is helping the situation, you should be providing answers than asking questions.
The challenges that lie ahead require no body else but your selves to take the lead.
The Bill of Rights, Promotion of Equity & Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, Employment Equity Act and Skills Development Act are amongst the progressive legislations that seek to better your conditions and yours should, therefore, be to ensure that they are properly implemented.
As you continue to conscientise and sensitise members of the public about the needs and aspiration of people with disabilities, you should, on the other hand, engage in socio-economic and political empowerment programmes that will make disabled people feel proud to identify with our democracy and freedom.
Both the government and private sector should be taken to task to ensure that these institutions target disabled people for skills development and job creation projects for self-reliance.
The cornerstone of the successful reintegration of people with disability into the mainstream of human activity is an open interaction with people in all spheres of life, sport and recreation included. And to that effect, the key element of your programme should be to make in-door and out-door sporting and recreational facilities accessible to your constituency.
Never again should our people with disabilities be treated as objects of pity and be hidden somewhere in the households. There are people who continue with these inhuman acts of keeping other people away from others. This is unacceptable and should come to an immediate end. Like all of us a person with disability is human must be treated as such.
Ladies and gentlemen
The respect for diversity of our nation and sensitivity to the needs of people with disability should find an unqualified expression in the nation we seek to build.
Together we must bring about a society distinguished by prevalence of new patriotism and a sense of renewed social morality.
Let us join government and recommit our selves to the creation of a nation that does not only cater for the needs of the disabled but also promote the principles of knowledge, acceptance, tolerance and non-discrimination.
I Thank You
Issued by the Limpopo Provincial Government
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