DEPUTY Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has called for the establishment of a secretariat dedicated to people with disabilities.
She made the call last week during a workshop on the subordinate legislation arising from the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2018.
Dladla explained that Section 49 of the Act provided for a registration system and the creation of a council mandated to address issues affecting persons with disabilities.
However, she noted that the absence of a formal secretariat had made it difficult for the council to fulfil its responsibilities effectively.
She emphasised that the regulations under review proposed not only the establishment of the secretariat, but also the detailing of its roles.
Dladla said the secretariat would include a registrar and deputy registrars responsible for managing disability-related matters.
“Things were happening haphazardly without the secretariat because all responsibilities were carried by the deputy prime minister’s office (DPMO), yet the Act expects a specialised body to manage the detailed processes affecting persons with disabilities,” she said.
According to Dladla, the secretariat will handle the registration of persons with disabilities and determine the degree of disability. It will also monitor their day-to-day needs and assess whether the disability grant is sufficient.
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She added that the new system would make inspections and registrations legally enforceable.
“The degree of disability differs from person to person; some conditions can even be corrected. This is an important piece of subordinate legislation that requires close scrutiny,” she said.
DPMO’s Disability Unit, Disability Manager Fikile Shongwe said the registration process would introduce specially designed identification cards for persons with disabilities.
The cards, which would be colour-coded according to the type of disability, are expected to improve access to essential services in hospitals, public transport and retail environments.
Shongwe said the initiative aimed to foster inclusivity by making it easier for service providers to identify and respond sensitively to the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Beyond improving service delivery, the system is expected to raise public awareness and promote greater understanding of varying disabilities.
“The deputy prime minister’s commitment to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities reflects a broader goal of building an inclusive and accessible society. This initiative will empower individuals and enhance their independence as well as visibility in public spaces,” Shongwe said.
Senate Deputy President Ndumiso Mduli welcomed the proposed establishment of the secretariat, saying it would greatly assist in implementing Section 49 of the Act.
Senator Lindiwe Ngwenya added that persons with disabilities had the right to live like anyone else.
However, she raised concerns about whether the public would fully understand the identification card system and its intended role in supporting people with disabilities.
