Mogale City Local Municipality in partnership with Gauteng Provincial Government celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Mogale City’s Centenary Hall. More than 2 000 persons with disabilities from six regions across Gauteng attended the event.
Mogale City Executive Mayor Patrick Lipudi gave the opening remarks and outlined the good work that the city is doing for persons with disabilities. “We are gathered here today to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As the leadership of Mogale City, we are humbled that provincial government under the leadership of honourable Premier David Makhura chose the City of Human Origins to host this noble gathering that focuses on an important human right.”
“We are pioneers and champions of the disability movement and have played a leading role in the development of a strategy for disability in the country,” Mayor Lipudi said.
Mayor Lipudi further added that on the sports front, the city has produced para-cyclist Simon Makgobela, a former member of the South African Para-cycling team.
Partnering Gauteng MEC for Social Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said: “We are happy to celebrate this day in Mogale City again. The city hosted this event in 2015 and was again requested by the Premier to host as they have been doing well on issues affecting persons with disabilities.”
“We also want to emphasise that Gauteng Provincial Government has taken a conscious decision to develop strategies and policies that will address issues affecting persons with disabilities. This is to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind as resonated in the disability rights movement slogan ‘Nothing about us without us’,” the MEC added.
Moving Ahead Development Agency, a non-profit making organisation mandated to contribute towards skills development, in partnership with Gauteng Provincial Government donated over 20 laptops to care centres for persons with disabilities across Gauteng.
The celebration was officially closed by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa. In her closing address, Ramokgopa reiterated provincial government’s commitment to persons with disabilities’ rights and development.
“Gauteng Provincial Government takes the plight of persons with disabilities seriously. Gauteng is the capital of our economy and we want to see persons with disabilities being actively involved in the economy province and country at large.”
Legendary singer Babsy Mlangeni performed some of his renowned songs at the celebration. Persons with disabilities from various regions also provided entertainment in choreography and personality parading.
West Rand District Municipality MMC for Health and Social Development Buyiswa Xulu and Mogale City councillors were also in attendance.