Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
3 DECEMBER 1997
STATEMENT BY WELFARE AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GERALDINE FRASER-MOLEKETI, ON THE LAUNCH OF THE WHITE PAPER ON INTEGRATED NATIONAL DISABILITY STRATEGY
The marking of the International Day of Disabled Persons with the launching in South Africa of the White Paper on Integrated National Disability Strategy by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, is an historic event, indeed. Emerging from Government after a consultative process, it is the first such policy paper which focuses our attention on - among others - the rights, rehabilitation, welfare, education, employment and the role of people with disabilities.
It underscores our commitment to end any form of discrimination against people with disabilities. People with disabilities, like the majority of South Africans during the apartheid era, were denied fundamental human rights. Under the new democratic government, people with disabilities have rights enshrined in the constitution. Today, the launch of this very important document should serve to remind ourselves of those rights.
In 1998 the Department of Welfare will release a Community Based Rehabilitation guidance document on mechanisms for the economic empowerment of people with disabilities. The United Nations has set 22 Standard Rules to enhance equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. These rules have been endorsed by the South African Government and will direct future activities. Among others, they will promote medical care for people with disabilities, rehabilitation, education, employment opportunities, economic policies and social security.
The Department of Welfare is instrumental and committed to its cause that promotes the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities, enabling their full integration into a society for all.
It is a priority within this Department to develop the capacity of disabled people to enhance their optimal independence at all levels. The Draft White Paper for Social Welfare and the Social Welfare Action Plan, have adopted this new paradigm whereby emphasis is placed on the empowering of disabled people.
The departments of welfare spends about R3 billion on disability grants to nearly 500 000 persons with disabilities, and R130 million towards the financing of social welfare services for disabled people. The Department of Welfare believes that fewer people with disabilities will be dependent on social security if the capacity building and empowerment programmes which leads to economic self-sufficiency, are successfully implemented.
This is clearly in line with our Government focus on job creation through Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) which empower disabled people - in addition to employment - to get in the mainstream of the economy.
As Minister for Welfare and Population Development, I welcome and endorse the White Paper on Integrated National Disability Strategy and call on employers in particular, and to all South Africans, not to discriminate against people with disabilities. People with disabilities have the same need for love, affection, friendship and respect.
ISSUED: Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, MP Minister for Welfare and Population Development
Enquiries: Brian Sokutu, Press Secretary Cell: 082-807-5397