DURING the 2023/24 Draft Budget public consultation with the disability sector, which was held at the Durban Exhibition Centre in Durban Central yesterday, eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda outlined various tangible steps that the municipality will take to address challenges faced by people with disabilities.

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According to Mayor Kaunda, the following commitments are planned to be realised by June 2023:

1. A dedicated desk for persons with disabilities in all municipal departments, including banking halls (Sizakala Centres), will be installed.
2. In wards where there are no persons with disabilities elected to ward committees, persons with disabilities will be elected by the end of June.
3. Four additional buses for persons with disabilities will be delivered by the end of June.
4. A total of 10% of houses in all housing development projects in the City must be allocated to persons with disabilities, including in green fields projects.
5. A Disability Sector Council, which will meet quarterly to guide the municipality on matters affecting people with disabilities, will be established. Its inaugural meeting will be held in June.

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Mayor Kaunda emphasised that even though a lot of progress has been made to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, there is still room for improvement.

“Today, people with disabilities also had an opportunity to make input on our proposed R66b budget. This is done so that we can create an inclusive society and to ensure that the budget speaks to their needs so they live their lives to the fullest,” concluded Kaunda.

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