Too Good To Be True

By Rose Nyatanga. Dimakatso Moleta was born in Rakops 26 years ago. She is one of the many disabled people who have been assisted by the Office of People with Disability. Dimakatso’s education came to an end at Junior Certificate level, and she was unable to get a job because of her poor vision as she has only one eye. She grew up with a single unemployed parent and has seven siblings.

Her fate changed to fortune one day when she heard about the newly opened Office for People with Disabilities at the Office of the President, and visited the office the following morning to enquire how they could assist her.

Dimakatso describes the service she received as excellent. In fact, the following day she was employed at Choppies store in Ledumang.  “Mr Motingwa called their office and after their conversation he told me that I’m employed. To me it sounded too good to be true,” the obviously delighted Dimakatso said. 

“I  would like to thank the Office of People with Disabilities, not forgetting Choppies as well because my life has changed. I now have a monthly income, am able to support my family and I have an insurance policy.  In conclusion, I want to encourage all people with any disability to see how they can be assisted not only finding jobs, there are other services.”      

The Office of People with Disabilities was established in August 2009 through the Permanent Secretary to the President Directive no.1 of 2009 with the mandate of developing and coordinating the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at empowering People with Disability. A coordinator, Mr Thomas Motingwa, was appointed in January 2010 and the office launched on 15 April 2010.  The Office is located in the Office of the President 2, office number 011, ground floor.

The Office is responsible for policy development and coordination of people with disabilities, promoting equal access to education, guaranteeing justice, safety and security. The Office will also address different issues of people with disability ranging from sight impaired, physically disabled, deaf, cerebral palsy, autism or any other disability.

Commenting on the successes of the Office, Mr Motingwa pointed out that since February 2010, they have assisted 30 people find employment, and has also been able to advocate and liaise with different offices in favour of people with disability. He noted that Choppies had been able to employ all 30 people in the short period of five months. According to Mr Motingwa, the opening an office has not been without its challenges.  “Some challenges arise when there are no rehabilitation centres for some disability cases while some disabilities are complicated especially when there has not been intervention at an early stage.”