8 December 2005

By Clifford Mogotsi

DISABLED people from across Gauteng took to the streets of Mogale City in a peaceful demonstration to demand that their rights are recognised.

The day marked International Day for People with Disabilities.

Starting at Krugersdorp Magistrate Court, the marchers travelled to Coronation Park where officials spoke to the crowd. The march was orchestrated by Mogale City's Office on the Status of Disable People. It was attended by politicians and other officials, who said people with disabilities should not beg but demand that their rights are respected.

Speaking at the ceremony after the march, Gauteng MEC for Social Development Bob Mabaso said people needed to make sure that the interests of people with disabilities were met.

"Gone are the days when people living with disabilities were called names. We need to work closely with churches, organisations and people with disabilities."

Mabaso also applauded Miss Confidence South Africa 2005, Luthando Kekane.

Marking International Day for People with Disabilities

The government was committed to ensuring all its buildings were accessible and friendly to people with disabilities. The Department of Housing was also committed to ensuring that houses for the poor were accessible, Mabaso said.

Some of the marchers said the government had done a lot by passing legislation and laws protecting people with disabilities, but a lot still needed to be done - especially around creating awareness of disabled people's rights.

One of the demonstrators, Nomsa Limako, lambasted taxi industries for not taking good care of disabled people. "Most of us experience problems in the taxi industry.

"We end up hiring expensive private cars because of the problems experienced riding taxis, which I think is unfair because we are not rich," Limako said.

However, speaking on behalf of the government, Gauteng MEC for Health Gwen Ramokgopa praised the marchers for fighting for their rights. "As a government we will make sure that we integrate what you have raised [here]. We are committed to achieving all with and about you."

For her part, West Rand District Mayor Sister Bernard Ncube urged society to respect people with disabilities. "Let's make them feel that they are part of us."

Despite government legislation recognising their rights, disabled people still feel they are excluded from participating fully in government, particularly at local government level. A number of protesters spoke out about their experiences.

"People with disabilities are still limited from jobs and they have a problem accessing buildings," said Moss Komane, of the City's Office on the Status of Disable People.

"We believe that the audit of special schools will reveal that 70 percent of educators are not trained to teach learners with hearing disabilities. It must also be noted that implementation has been problematic for the Gauteng education department," said Andrew Louw.

"There is considerable concern from the disabled sector about the negative manner in which disability is portrayed by the media," said Masingita Masunga.

Vernce Koemalo said, "As people living with disabilities, we continue to observe the delays affecting our basic human rights - delays in access to essential services such as housing."

After the speeches, legendary singer Steve Kekane rocked the crowd.

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