The government has developed a comprehensive set of legislative and policy tools aimed at promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, says Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi.

“Our government has created a robust framework of legislative and policy tools designed to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, such as the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), which seeks to prevent discrimination and promote equality by explicitly addressing the needs of people with disabilities.

“The mainstreaming of disability into our public service policies and practices is essential for addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. This involves adopting policies that ensure our public service environment is accessible and responsive to the needs of all citizens. It also means actively implementing these policies and distributing the necessary resources to support them.

“The South African government must lead by example in this regard. We must demonstrate a commitment to inclusion through comprehensive policy frameworks and the establishment of mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness,” he said.

Minister Buthelezi was speaking at the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) dialogue on service delivery for the inclusion of people with disabilities, held at the National School of Government (NSG) in Pretoria on Thursday, 12 September 2024.

The White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities outlines strategies for the full inclusion and participation of disabled individuals in all areas of society, while the National Development Plan (NDP) emphasizes inclusive growth and calls for systemic changes to remove barriers faced by persons with disabilities, ensuring fair access to services and opportunities.

According to Inkosi Buthelezi, the theme of the event, “Service Delivery for Inclusion: 30 Years and Beyond,” offers an opportunity to re-examine our commitment to upholding constitutional values and principles regarding disability rights.

He further stated that despite a strong constitutional foundation and numerous legislative measures designed to promote inclusivity, practical implementation remains one of the greatest challenges.

“Over the past three decades, numerous institutions, including the South African Human Rights Commission and Disabled People South Africa, have been instrumental in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. These organizations have driven important changes, but the path to full inclusion requires continued collaboration and commitment from all sectors of our society.

“This inaugural dialogue and subsequent discussions will also recognize the contributions of institutions collaborating with persons with disabilities and highlight ongoing challenges.

“Importantly, we must also seek feedback from organizations representing persons with disabilities to identify gaps in the current policy framework and develop actionable recommendations,” he said.

The NSG’s Commendable Steps

Minister Buthelezi praised the NSG for taking steps to offer training designed to include people with disabilities.

He noted that upon request, the NSG provides Braille and Braille-enabled documentation for computers, and when necessary, assistants are present to facilitate delivery alongside participants, ensuring that everyone can engage fully with the material.

The Minister emphasized that these measures are not just about compliance; they are about fostering an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to gain experience and contribute.

“The content of these workshops is equally important. It aims to sensitise a wide range of stakeholders, from public servants to service providers, about the importance of creating and maintaining a barrier-free and accessible public sector workplace.

“The focus is on both employees and service users with disabilities, ensuring that inclusivity is woven into every aspect of our public service,” he said.

The workshops offered by the NSG are built around three key pillars: learn, unlearn, and relearn. The first pillar focuses on acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding persons with disabilities and their rights.

The second pillar, unlearning, involves identifying and discarding inappropriate attitudes, language, and behaviours that create exclusion and barriers to participation.

The last pillar, relearning, requires us to apply the principles enshrined in the equality clause of our Constitution to remove discrimination and foster an inclusive environment.

The PSC

According to Minister Buthelezi, the PSC should conduct regular audits to assess compliance with disability mainstreaming policies and identify areas for improvement.

By strengthening its oversight function, he said, the Commission can help ensure that the principles of inclusivity are not only adopted but also effectively executed across all public service institutions.