House Chairperson, Honourable Members, South Africa’s commitment to a disability-inclusive society requires more than policy statements. Yes, the ACDP concurs that it demands strategic multi-sectoral partnerships that unite government, civil society, business, and international partners. However, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) acknowledged in its 2025 Strategic Plan that people with disabilities remain “greatly marginalised” and that mainstreaming requires coordinated leadership across sectors.
Government is seen to be failing people with disabilities by underdelivering on employment equity, lacking representation in leadership, and struggling to implement effective monitoring and accountability frameworks. People with disabilities make up only 1.4% of the workforce, far below the national target of 3%.
Amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA) in January promised stronger inclusion, but critics argue these changes have not translated into real opportunities. Systemic barriers still face young people with disabilities, in education, training, and employment.
The Department’s 2024/25 Annual Report noted delays in implementing monitoring frameworks and highlighted capacity constraints that weaken delivery, and public discourse has amplified these concerns. Civil society organisations have repeatedly highlighted that government departments lack robust monitoring frameworks. This results in poor enforcement of disability rights and weak coordination across ministries.
Professor Armand Bam, Head of Social Impact at Stellenbosch Business School, argues that “Disability inclusion is not charity, it’s a legal requirement and a matter of social justice.” To raise awareness, the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD,) leverages media partnerships for its publicity showing it to be strategic, impactful, authentic, and transformative.
The NCPD reported in October that media partnerships generated over 100 million impressions. However, they also stressed the urgent need for government accountability and collaboration with grassroots organisations. Government’s failure lies not in the absence of policy but in weak implementation, poor accountability, and lack of representation. To correct this, government must strengthen enforcement of employment equity, invest in youth inclusion, and build multi-sectoral partnerships that ensure people with disabilities are visible, empowered, and included in every sphere of society.
I thank you.
