By Bheki Khawula
and Neliswa Nhlabathi
On Thursday, 28 September 2023 to Friday, 29 September 2023, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works Disabled Employees’ Forum held a two-days meeting at Ugu District Office in Port Shepstone. This, is a formal departmental structure which was officially established in 2021 to deliberate on matters pertaining to the wellness of disabled employees with a view to make reasonable accommodation prevail and to help resolve issues that hinder productivity. Membership to this forum is made up by the disabled employees of the department and it is also open to the rest of non-disabled employees. This structure receives recognition and support from the Head of Department. Attendees of this progressive conference came from all the three regions of KZN Public Works to attend this year’s final quarterly meeting.
“We did not choose to be disabled nor could run away from it. Some of us were born disabled and some were born able-bodied but got disabled along the way as a result of accidents or diseases. To all who are vulnerable to illnesses, including chronic diseases and effectible by accident, do not look at disability as a fairytale, it is a real possibility. As disabled people, we are duty-bound to empower our fellow colleagues and superiors with disability awareness all the time. It is through this act that correct information and knowledge can be shared, resulting to formation of correct attitude and broader enlightenment to all with matters pertaining to disability understanding in our workplace.” Mr Bheki Khawula (Assistant Director: Communication Directorate) uttered the above remarks when opening the conference as the Chair Person of the Disabled Employees’ Forum.
The meeting dealt with the progress report of the meeting that was held on Tuesday, 25 October 2022 at North Coast Regional Office, in Ulundi. Prior to that meeting, the terms of reference for the forum were approved on Wednesday, 1 June 2022 for Implementation.
Mr Innocent Thabani Manyathi (District Office Manager: Ugo District Office) welcomed and thanked everyone for attending. Furthermore, he expressed his joy with the initiative of the program. Finally, he wished everyone the best of success with this two-days meeting.
As Ms Nothi Mahlaba presented the message of support, she had the following to say: “The departmental management is in full support of the disability forum and it’s existence. This can be observed from it’s approval and support of all initiatives such as the establishment of it’s terms of reference. Furthermore, the management does it’s best to promote representation of disabled employees within the department as well as empowering them where possible. A practical example of this is a directorate headed by Miss Delisile Mncube which caters from among other vulnerable groups, People with Disabilities (PWD). The management creates systems and mechanism for continuously improving conditions to the advantage of the disabled employees.”
She further presented the Programme of Action for the implementation of Norms and Standards on Reasonable Accommodation Policy. Among issues dealt was: Enablement of suitably qualified professionals during the recruitment, selection and placement processes; The matters of promoting staff with disabilities within the Department; Bursary issues; Prioritization of PWDs for development Programs, Maintenance of 2% and above level target for disabled employees within the department; Representative of people with disability during recruitment processes; Training of supervisors to provide necessary support to employees with disability and equal disability affirmative throughout the department.
Mr. Sizwe Ziqubu (Personal Assistant to Mr. Mthinteni Nzuza) presented on Employment Equity status for employees with Disabilities. Statistics of disabled employees are as follows: The total workforce for KZN Department of Public Works is 1467. The total number of disabled officials is sitting at 29 inclusive of interns, in-service trainees and permanent staff members. The percentage of employees with disabilities is currently 1.98 %. The disaggregated data as per office is as follows: Head Office-10, Southern Region-7, Ethekwini-3, Midlands-3, and North Coast-6. Mr. Ziqubu further presented the occupational Levels and Gender. The Department comprises of 23 disabled employees from salary level 3 to 8 amongst those 10 are females and 13 are males. There are four disabled officials from salary level 9 to 12 only males.
A bittersweet moment. At the end of this lengthy program, Mr. Dayi Raphoka (one of the long-serving members of the disabled employees forum) was bided a sad farewell. He had been with the department for over 41 years as a permanent employee at eThekwini Region. He was employed as a Handyman. He voiced out his great appreciation for the establishment and existence of the disabled employees structure. He stated that under normal circumstances, the terrain is not smooth and fair enough for disabled employees to perform their daily duties to the best of their ability and with capability. He said this had been a case for a long way back. He said that the establishment of the forum brings hope of progress to disabled employees of the department. Ms. Mahlaba uttered a few words of fair well to Mr. Raphoka, wishing him the best in the new path he is taking. “We owe it to such legends to make sure that this forum serves its purpose at all times.” Concluded Ms Mahlaba.
