Let me thank you for steering and facilitating the programme,
I would like to take this opportunity to greet out local councillor in the Metropolitan City of Tshwane, Councillor Mpho Lewela,
Mr. Andreas Schott from the E4E Technical Team, and warm welcome the message of support that you have presented in my absence,
Dr. Anna Monten-Kuchel, the First Secretary of Labour and Social Affairs from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany,
Dr. Praveena Sukhray from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the Presidency
I would like to acknowledge and greet Professor Chataika- from the University of Zimbabwe,
Representative Afrikatikkun and Mamelodi Association for People with Disabilities
Distinguished delegates and guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning
It is an honour to address you today at this significant Policy Dialogue on "Transitioning of Persons with Disabilities into Employment." I extend warm greetings to all present and
express sincere gratitude to the organisers and our European Union partners, whose E4E programme underpins our discussions.
This gathering offers a vital platform for dialogue, reflection and forging a clear path toward sustainable inclusivity in our labour market. As the Department of Employment and Labour, we are deeply committed to fostering a fair, just and thriving South Africa.
Section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa prohibits unfair discrimination by the state or any person on various grounds, including disability and further allows for legislative and other measures to protect or advance persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination, including persons with disability. This constitutional provision, read together with section 23, that deals with fair labour practices, section 27 dealing with health care, food, water and social security, and section 28 that protects children from exploitative labour practices, collectively aims to ensure equality, protection and access to essential services for persons with disabilities.
The blueprint for our Constitution is the Freedom Charter, adopted in 1955, wherein the people of this country declared that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. This emphatically includes persons with disabilities, a principle that has found expression in our progressive democratic Constitution
Furthermore, the National Development Plan (NDP), calls upon us to 'accelerate efforts in integrating issues of disability into all facets of society, and ensure equitable service provision for persons with disabilities'. The National Development Plan noted that people with disabilities face several key barriers to accessing work, including physical barriers that limit access to educational facilities; information and communication barriers that hinder learning interaction; and attitudinal barriers, such as negative assumptions about their abilities. These challenges can result in substandard or denied education, particularly. Impacting girls and women with disabilities.
As we navigate the 7th Administration and work towards economic recovery and growth, it is essential that we build on a foundation of fair and equitable labour practices, while
also ensuring that we address the issues affecting persons with disabilities, as highlighted in the National Development Plan.
Our commitment extends beyond regulation; we are dedicated to actively promoting decent employment for persons with disabilities, fair labour practices, and occupational health and safety across all sectors. Guided by South Africa's progressive legislative framework, including the Constitution, the Employment Equity Act, and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, we remain steadfast in our goal to leave no one behind in our pursuit of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Our commitment is aligned with the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, adopted in 2018. The AU Protocol includes key provisions aimed at ensuring inclusive access and support for persons with disabilities. It further affirms the right of persons with disabilities to inclusive education, and commits member states to facilitating a seamless transition from education to employment, and this would mean inclusion of adaptive systems to support full participation and ensuring that disability is not a barrier to opportunity in either education or employment.
Most notably, the preamble of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, affirms the inherent right to dignity by persons with disabilities, their autonomy, and equality and recognises that disability results from interaction between impairments and societal barriers that hinder full participation. It further highlights the historical discrimination and marginalisation faced by persons with disabilities and underscores the need for their full inclusion in all areas of life, and envisages international cooperation on the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities.
For us in the Department of Employment and Labour, compliance with legislative framework related to persons with disabilities is critical for creating a stable environment that encourages investment, entrepreneurship and global competitiveness. Our efforts are further underpinned by foundational policies such as the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD), which guides our vision for a truly inclusive society.
I must note that despite progressive legislation, persons with disabilities still face systemic exclusion from education and employment. A few number of persons with disabilities have access to tertiary education or adequate foundational skills development and training. Consequently, a substantial portion remain unemployable even when their disability does not affect their work ability. Challenges they face include:
It is particularly stark that persons with disabilities from Special Schools are often most disadvantaged in accessing open labour market opportunities. Their specific conditions and stereotypes around their disabilities by the employers frequently lead to continued marginalisation, preventing them from contributing their talents.
The White Paper explicitly addresses these systemic barriers, advocating for a shift from a medical or welfare model to a social model of disability. Professor Andrea Broderick, a professor at Maastricht University and UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Peace has emphasised that disability arises from societal barriers rather than individual impairments and advocates for the social model of disability, which identifies systemic barriers such as environmental, attitudinal and legislative obstacles, as the primary contributors to the marginalisation of persons with disabilities. Notably, she places the responsibility on national governments to address such barriers, - a progressive step that South Africa has already taken.
For South Africa, in addressing the barriers faced by persons with disabilities through a coordinated effort, we need to enhance our initiatives as the Departments of Employment and Labour, Basic Education and Higher Education and Training, guided by the principles of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework (IGR). IGR principles are intended to promote alignment and collaboration across spheres of government, and that is local, provincial and national governments.
A fragmented approach by government departments creates a significant barrier to a seamless career pathway for persons with disabilities. We must dismantle silo mentality when addressing challenges faced by persons with disabilities and build a truly collaborative, interconnected ecosystem supporting PWDs from classroom to workplace.
This Policy Dialogue aims to foster robust interdepartmental integration for a comprehensive, dynamic framework. We are confident that the WPRPD's vision and its nine Strategic Pillars, especially geared towards removing barriers to access and participation and reducing economic vulnerability, will guide the transition of persons with disabilities from education to work.
To enhance the employability of persons with disabilities transitioning from Special Schools and Schools of Skills, we are actively pursuing a comprehensive and integrated approach:
i. Engaging Special Schools (DBE Collaboration): We must systematically engage DBE to define practical transitioning criteria, focusing on effective workplace- based teaching and learning models within schools. This bridges the foundational gap between academic learning and practical skills for employment.
ii. Leveraging Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE): Our 13 SEE factories, uniquely mandated to employ PWDs, continue to play an active role in our efforts. They provide hands-on practical training and structured learnerships, directly
preparing individuals for the open labour market. These factories are vital training grounds and incubators of talent, demonstrating the tangible impact of dedicated support.
A prime example of SEE's ongoing success and dedication was the Employer Breakfast Session and Career Fair for Persons with Disabilities, proudly hosted on 19 March 2024, in partnership with Nelson Mandela University in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
This highly successful event aimed to empower persons with disabilities by connecting them directly with potential employers, providing essential information on employment opportunities and self-employment initiatives. During the event, the Department also offered on-site registration services for the employment database, comprehensive counselling and assistance with job search tools and assessments, unequivocally demonstrating our commitment to practical, direct support and SEE's continued, invaluable existence in bridging the employment gap.
iii. Accreditation and Certification for Employability: SEE instructors must be accredited facilitators, assessors and moderators. This formal accreditation empowers them to issue official Certificates of Competency to Special School learners, validating their skills. These certificates are instrumental for registration as a work-seeker on our Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) database, significantly enhancing visibility and access to formal employment.
iv. Partnerships with TVET Colleges (DHET Collaboration): SEE will forge strong partnerships with TVET Colleges under DHET. This collaboration will offer invaluable practical technical experience, enabling students with disabilities to obtain industry-recognised certificates in high-demand fields like textile, carpentry and steel fabrication. This practical exposure is key to making them job-ready.
v. Long-Term Vision: SEE as Accredited Training Institutions: Our aspiration is for SEE factories to become fully accredited SETA training institutions. This
pivotal step will encourage SETAs to design and implement tailored-work- readiness programmes for persons with disabilities, mainstreaming their integration into the national workforce.
Furthermore, we will intensify our efforts to identify capable and eager learners with disabilities for formal employment, life skills and entrepreneurial programmes. This critical assessment, supported by psychologists and occupational therapy practitioners, ensures tailored placement and development.
We aim to equip these learners with marketable skills in areas like welding, carpentry, seam stressing, pattern making and entrepreneurship, with clear pathways to advanced artisan occupations. This empowers them to reach their full potential.
vi. The Indispensable Role of Public Employment Services (PES)
Our Public Employment Services (PES) plays an indispensable role in facilitating this crucial transition. PES is the vital bridge connecting all job seekers, especially persons with disabilities, to employment opportunities. Our mandate is to facilitate job creation and placement through direct, responsive services and robust collaborations across government, business, labour and civil society.
Our initiatives include:
Accessible Employment Services: We provide free services through 126 Labour Centres, 14 mobile units, 8 youth centres and 450 visiting points. This extensive reach ensures job seekers can access support, including career counselling, skills assessment and practical assistance with CVs and interviews.
Enhanced Online Accessibility: Our ESSA online system simplifies job searches, self- registration and placement services, providing a convenient and empowering avenue for persons with disabilities, particularly those with mobility challenges.
Impactful Jobs Fairs and Targeted Counselling: Through high-impact jobs fairs, such as the successful one held in Nelson Mandela Bay and personalised career counselling, we provide supportive environments for unemployed individuals, including persons with disabilities, to explore careers, gain employability guidance and interact directly with employers.
Inclusive Labour Activation Programmes (LAPs): Our LAPs aim to create 2 million jobs and support distressed companies, ex-workers and youth. These programmes are specifically designed for persons with disabilities to be active participants and support 650,000 job opportunities, with a strong focus on inclusivity.
Strengthening Compliance: The recruitment of 20,000 young people for our labour law compliance inspectorate internship programme (10,000 in 2025/26) aims to build a future workforce that upholds labour rights for all. This safeguards the rights of all workers, including persons with disabilities, ensuring dignity and equitable working environments.
A Collaborative Imperative, Shared Responsibility for Inclusive Growth
The Department of Employment and Labour cannot address this complex issue alone. It requires a coordinated and sustained approach involving all levels of spheres of government, including the private sector, organised labour and civil society, under what our President, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa refers to as social compact.
This Policy Dialogue, bringing together diverse and influential stakeholders, demonstrates this commitment. Your contributions in this Policy Dialogue are invaluable and your presence signifies a collective commitment to this profound national priority, directly responding to the WPRPD's call for cross-sectoral collaboration and shared accountability.
We actively coordinate Public Employment Programmes like Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) under then called Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Community Work Programme (CWP) under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Working for Water for Water and Working for Fire, under the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.
These are complemented by private sector initiatives such as Youth Employment Services (YES), Employer Tax Incentives and Skills Development Apprenticeships & Learnerships. These multifaceted efforts underline our proactive, holistic stance toward broad-based employment creation.
We steadfastly promote the employment of people with disabilities through Employment Equity legislation, actively supporting over 1,200 workers in our 13 factories and providing subsidies to 1,100 people employed by NGOs. These synergistic efforts aim to tackle unemployment, foster inclusive growth and build a resilient labour market for all South Africans.
In line with the Five-Year Medium-Term Development Plan (2025–2029) and our Annual Performance Plan (2025/2026), we drafted the National Employment Policy (NEP) and public consultations were concluded last year in 2024. This policy is aligned with the South African National Youth Policy 2020-2030 (NYP 2030) and forms the overarching strategic framework for integrating our efforts for persons with disabilities into national employment strategies, ensuring coherence and long term impact. This alignment is crucial for domesticating the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the WPRPD into actionable government plans.
Honourable Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we conclude, I urge all participants to engage meaningfully and with commitment in the discussions and actions to follow. Our shared goal is important to build a South Africa where economic opportunities are genuinely accessible to all, irrespective of their abilities. For as we all know, the best social welfare programme is a job. Employment provides income, independence, dignity and stability for families and communities. A job is not merely a source of financial gain, it is a source of purpose and active meaningful citizenship.
This Policy Dialogue is an indispensable step toward developing a unified, effective policy framework that will ensure the seamless transition of persons with disabilities from education to meaningful employment. This directly advances the WPRPD's objective to accelerate transformation and redress for full inclusion. Let us work together with renewed commitment, empathy and strategic foresight to dismantle barriers, challenge outdated perceptions and truly unlock the untapped potential within our persons with disabilities community. Their inclusion is not just a social justice issue, it is an economic imperative that will enrich our nation, foster innovation and drive sustainable development.
As Leif Gregersen wisely wrote in his book Through the Withering Storm, 'The measure of a man or woman is not so much what they have accomplished—though that has weight—but rather what they have overcome to accomplish what they have". This quote resonates deeply with the journey of persons with disabilities.
Through the Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE) and the concerted efforts we are discussing today, including successful initiatives like the recent Career Fair in Nelson Mandela Bay, we are empowering individuals to overcome significant systemic and societal challenges, enabling them to achieve their potential and contribute meaningfully. Our policy dialogue is about facilitating this overcoming, recognising the strength and resilience of every individual we serve.
Thank You
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