EThekwini Municipality is committed to effectively addressing challenges facing people with disabilities while raising awareness around the issue.
The City’s commitment was reiterated at the Disability Awareness Day held at City Hall, yesterday, 7 December 2015. The Municipality is committed to creating a conducive, diverse and social cohesive working environment for people with disabilities. In keeping with this ethos, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for Municipal jobs.
People with disabilities form part of society and have the right to be treated with care and to be protected. They should not be deprived of any opportunities because of their physical condition as they are able to perform many functions with competence.
Cllr Simon Zwane said the Municipality must be congratulated for hosting a Disability Awareness Day. “We need to comply with the regulation of the Government. This is an indication that eThekwini is committed to employ people with disabilities,” he said.
Deputy City Manager for Corporate and Human Resources Dumisile Nene said: “We wanted to raise awareness on the challenges faced by people with disabilities. The Municipality has set a target of employing more people with disabilities and this awareness day is one of the interventions to accommodate and attract people with disabilities to work for eThekwini. We are committed to the empowerment of people with disabilities by creating employment opportunities.”
Chairperson of the Albinism Society, Maxwell Thabethe said albinism has been adopted as a disability. This has been endorsed by government.
“People with albinism are shortsighted and I personally cannot drive a car because of limited eyesight. Our skins are sensitive to heat therefore we need to work in an enclosed environment.”
Eunice Mthapo who is blind and holds a social work degree, encouraged people with disabilities to remain positive.
“Learn to develop yourself by acquiring skills to ensure that you are employable,” he said.
