Mathabatha commits to meet DPSA 2% employment target

Disabled People of South Africa’s Limpopo Chairperson, Foster Manyama initially lambasted Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor, Anah Sono for introducing dignitaries and omitted DPSA and its chairperson.

“Honourable Premier, our peaceful demonstrations shouldn’t be seen as mere talk shows; it is reality. We need service delivery now, not tomorrow. We condemn the movement of DPSA functions from the Presidency to the Department of Social Development.We vividly recall your days at LIMDEV wherein you used to prioritize issues concerning disabled persons and we need your government to follow that notion,” explained Manyama.

Manyama added that disability shouldn’t be regarded as an object of pity.

“We are not begging your administration to give us 2% for senior management level; we are in fact demanding it as it is our constitutional right. Premier, you must take to task departments failing to meet the 2% target and those posts must be filled as a matter of urgency. We are calling on your government to address our problems in schools, lack of decent housing, public transport and government buildings,” remarked Manyama.

He added that the ANC led government must allocate 2% to their members for the upcoming 2016 local elections; urging the hall to vote for the ANC, noted the Greater Letaba Municipality’s PR Councillor. Responding to Manyama’s demands, Mathabatha said the 2% equity matter will feature as a standing item during Exco’s next meeting and personally he wishes departments to exceed beyond 5%. “Nine of provincial government departments have maintained their 2% employment of people with disabilities at Senior Management level.

The two remaining departments have maintained a similar target at a general level. We have issued very clear instructions to the few remaining departments that are not doing well on this equity target. Our message has been and remain that Limpopo has to be a home of opportunities for people with disabilities,” he explained.

Mathabatha further said they are also happy to announce that students with disabilities are also beginning to access TVET colleges.

“At the moment, all seven TVET colleges have students with mild to moderate disabilities. With technical support from Office of The Premier, our TVET colleges will start to be accessible to students with severe disabilities. Department of Social Development is funding 92 NPOs of people with disabilities classified as follows: 24 stimulation centers, 52 protective workshops, 14 community based rehabilitation centers and two homes for people with disabilities,” noted Mathabatha.

He went on to say Office of The Premier has created a database of entrepreneurs with disabilities, which is circulated to all departments and institutions. “Department of agriculture and rural development has a tailored programme to support farmers with disabilities.

The government will continue the partnership with the disability community to fight against exploitation and all abusive and degrading practices against persons living with disabilities,” he concluded.

The event saw Thabo Simon Mogale (46) from Ga-Dikgale, Marobala who uses crutches to walk started his journey from SABC Park in Polokwane last week Monday at 07:30 and arrived at Namakgale Crossing at 10:39 and proceeded to Sir Val Duncan Campus. Mogale, alongside Ronald Lehodi from Turfloop Mmadimu Park, two marshals, Kholofelo Ramolotsa from Ga-Dikgale Marobala and Turfloop’s Sanco leader, Mme Ema were joined by Manyama, his executive committee members, BPM DA PR councilor, Belius Ramothwala and later by son of the soil LEDET MEC Seaparo Sekoati and his colleague from Treasury, Rob Tooley.

“Right now I am exhausted. I just need to rest a bit. The central theme around our walk is to call on fellow South Africans to donate blood as the festive season is here and blood will be needed the most as accidents are bound to occur on our roads. Let us all obey the rules and sings on the roads and avoid being amongst statistics. If it is stipulated that you must drive 60km/h, please do as indicated,” Mogale remarked.

Mogale added that everyone should know their HIV status and live a healthy lifestyle.

“As a person living with disability I am pleading with you to never feel pity for us. Do not give me a fish; rather teach me how to fish,” he remarked. The father of three boys and one girl says in 2013 he walked from Johannesburg Park Station to SABC Park in Polokwane and in December 2014 from Hamanskraal to Polokwane.

“The big aim is Durban to Polokwane. We are struggling financially with regard to sponsors and we are appealing to corporates to aid us. We are very fortunate for the funds we received from Farmwell Pharmacy, Morgan Copyshop and Pholosong Homebased Care from Polokwane, Selaki Sports from Midrand and the Department of Roads and Transport for escorting us.

Before the Premier could arrive around 11:38, Sekoati received the white paper from Manyama on behalf of the Premier.