Govan Mbeki Municipality launches disability forum at two-day summit
The GMM executive mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, opened the summit by emphasising that the municipality wants to work with people living with disabilities, rather than making decisions on their behalf.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) gathered stakeholders at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre in Secunda on November 20 and 21 for a disability summit that ultimately launched a new disability forum meant to strengthen advocacy, coordination, and representation across the municipality.
Held under the national theme “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society,” the summit drew government departments, private companies, civil society organisations, and local community structures.
Their shared task was to shape a practical programme of action to advance accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment for residents living with disabilities.
The GMM executive mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, opened the summit by emphasising that the municipality wants to work with people living with disabilities, rather than making decisions on their behalf.
Zuma reminded attendees of their well-known principle, “As you always say, nothing about you without you. Now, we want you to elect people that will represent your interests.”
Zuma said the newly established forum should become a unified voice for persons with disabilities across all areas of the GMM.
“We want to make sure that we have a structure that represents various formations of persons with disabilities from all corners of our municipality,” said Zuma.
After discussions and nominations, representatives from every part of the municipality were elected to lead the forum.
The leadership comprises:
- Chairperson: Mduduzi Nkosi (eMbalenhle)
- Deputy chairperson: Zandile Ndlovu (Kinross)
- Secretary: Debbie George (Secunda)
- Deputy secretary: Sphiwe Magagula (Charl Cilliers)
- Treasurer: Jabulani Shongwe (eMzinoni)
Additional members: Njabulo Madonsela, Mduduzi Mahlangu, Minenhle Mlangeni, Lebohang Mogoshi and Maria Mthinya.
The forum’s mandate includes ensuring that disability-related programmes get integrated into municipal planning and that residents living with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in social, economic, and community development initiatives.
