By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities and eliminating barriers to inclusion.
Tuesday is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In his weekly message to the nation, the president acknowledged progress in advancing the rights of people with disabilities, but emphasised that significant challenges remained.
“As we observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I call on all South Africans to build a country in which everyone is included, represented, accommodated and able to achieve their dreams,” he said.
Ramaphosa said approximately 3.3 million people in the country live with some form of physical or intellectual impairment and that many continued to face stigma, stereotyping and exclusion, compounded by infrastructural and societal barriers.
The president condemned harmful attitudes such as labelling disability as a curse, and highlighted the violence faced by vulnerable groups like persons with albinism.
Infrastructure shortcomings, including inaccessible public transport and facilities lacking wheelchair ramps or braille signage, also exacerbate the marginalisation of disabled individuals.
Ramaphosa said there was a pressing need for inclusive design in public spaces, particularly within South Africa’s transport systems.
Reflecting on legislative advancements, he cited the recognition of South African Sign Language as an official language in 2022 as a major milestone.
He lauded initiatives like the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, which broadens access to compensation for disabled workers, and employment equity laws requiring at least 2% of workforce representation by persons with disabilities.
However, he said most employers remained below the 2% target, achieving only around 1.2%.
He called on businesses and unions to remove barriers and uphold disabled workers’ rights.
Ramaphosa highlighted the work of the Presidential Working Group on Disability, established in 2016, as a driving force for policy implementation and advocacy.
The group has focused on issues such as gender-based violence against girls and women living with disabilities, early childhood development and expanding access to special needs education.
Ramaphosa also praised South Africa’s Paralympians, whose achievements at the Paris Games exemplified the resilience and talent people living with disabilities, saying their success reflected the potential that inclusive opportunities could unlock.
The president called on all sectors of society to intensify efforts to support the disabled community, and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to realising the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring they could lead lives of dignity, free from barriers and discrimination.
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