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Vol. 10 Issue #15: 27 Oct - 3 Nov 2023
Advertorial
Nothing About Us Without Us: Entrepreneurs with disabilities in Gauteng given a platform
Gauteng entrepreneurs with disabilities have urged the government to do more to understand people with disabilities.
T
he Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Oversight Committee on The Premier’s Office & Legislature (OCPOL) held a round table discussions on Thursday, October 19 as part of their efforts to promote inclusion of entrepreneurs with disabilities. Led by chairperson, Honorable Bonginkosi Dhlamini, the committee aims to use the findings from the survey and round table discussions to make recommendations to the provincial government office and other departments. Businesspeople and stakeholders from all regions if the province filled-up the Anew Hotel conference centre in Braamfontein to participate in these important hearings. According to the Central Supplier Database (CSD), there are about 2485 companies owned by people with disabilities in Gauteng. Here’s the regional breakdown: Joburg: 896 Tshwane: 754 Ekurhuleni: 478 West Rand: 204 Sedibeng: 153. Out of these companies registered to do business with government, survey had a very low response rate. “Out of 500 additional surveys we sent via emails and Whatsapp, only 17 responses,” Nothile Dlamini, senior researcher at the Legislature. The round table was formed due to address the low response taken from the study by OCPOL. The Provincial government has set its target to procure 7% of goods and services from these entrepreneurs in all departments. However, Gauteng has only managed to procure only about 0.4% across all departments and about 4% in the Office of the Premier in the third quarter of 2022/23 financial year. The committee recently conducted a survey of businesses owned by entrepreneurs with disabilities that are registered as potential suppliers to the government. Their goals are promoting economic inclusion and meeting procurement targets for entrepreneurs with disabilities. The entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to share reasons for the lack of participation in the study and share issues in working with government.
Boipelo speaks at OCPOL roundtable event Boipelo Lekwane from Tshwane alluded to the fact that the committee did not even follow the basics when communicating with them. “For instance, navigating my way in to this place was a challenge. There was no signage, not even people who were available to assist those who need to find their way,” she said.
Lekwane lamented that the the same difficulties are encountered when entrepreneurs with disabilities have to respond to tenders. Other challenges include the cost of printing documents, filing and submitting documents to different departments, sending online, navigating to briefings etc. “These are the socio-economic challenges that we face, coupled with the fact that the people is with a disability,” Boipelo explained. Dipuo Makhathini responded to the reason behind the low response rate by urging the committee to consider a professional research company to assist with the study. Khulekani Mhlongo said that scammers are rife in emails targeting suppliers and it is difficult for them to tell the difference sometimes. “My company has been registered for seven years but has not received anything from government because they want experience. Where will I get the experience if I don’t get anything,” Mhlongo said. Noluthando Makhubela asked for the government to make an effort in understanding people with disabilities. She called for start-up funding to assist entrepreneurs with disabilities to be ready to respond to tenders.
Natasha Masike Natasha Masike from Springs in Ekurhuleni runs Reagile Community Development, a non-profit organization that assists families and vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, has also asked for funding. She has applied for land from the government but it was given to another entrepreneur, making it difficult to apply for tenders. She called for regular updates with participants and service providers. Another barrier identified came from entrepreneur Lubabalo Mbeki, is the red-tape and strict requirements for providing goods and services to government entities. He proposed for relaxed conditions for entrepreneurs with disabilities, including increased feedback to suppliers who have sent their bids. “We should look a things that are not necessary and removing them. For instance, we are in the digital age. Printing paper is more expensive than submitting your documents online. Some departments have started doing this, we need to encourage more to adopt this,” Mbeki said. Jabulane Blose, CEO of South African National Deaf Association (SANDA), spoke on the fact that government does not differentiate between innovation and being a service provider. He said businesses start because they exist to improve people’s lives. When an innovative enterprise presents itself to government, the system does not allow that. Mr Mathebula from Garankua, an owner of a recycling company, says that he has re-
OCPOL members listen to the submissions sorted to using his disability grant money to keep his enterprise afloat. Despite his blind condition, he is an employer for seven years leading his team from thew front. “Sometimes when you go to government offices looking for business and support. Some will say to you ‘why don’t you sit at home?’ that is not right,” Mathebula said. He has requested the committee to consider representatives for people with disabilities in government agencies and departments. The Committee responds The committee acknowledged that a lot needs to be done remove barriers these entrepreneurs with disabilities face in accessing opportunities. Solly Msimanga thanked the stakeholders who participated in the session. He recommended that the committee ask for regional officials for people with disabilities in all departments. He called for the strengthening of Disability Desks at municipality level, eliminating the centralization of government services making it more accessible locally. “These are people that are not asking for a handouts, these are people saying they want to do something and need help,” Msimanga said. He also called for mechanisms to help suppliers identify scams and educate people on how to report criminal activity. Honorable Anton De Waal Alberts also responded to the issues raised by the entrepreneurs saying that on top of every solution is efficiency. Paying suppliers on time, understanding people with disabilities and their needs and creating a fund to assist them to meet their business needs, similar to youth and women-led enterprise funding is needed. He also alluded to the contribution from stakeholders to have a platform that is specifically for entrepreneurs with disabilities are seen and supported. Honorable Tshilidzi Munyai in his summary changed the term from people with disabilities to ‘differently-abled entrepreneurs’ “Economic participation by persons who are differently-abled is crucial in creating an inclusive society to address the challenges faced by this marginalized sector,” he said. Munyai provided assurance to the entreprenurs that the committee will also make an effort in finding and communicating with the sector better and work alongside the provincial government in implementing the solutions from this study. The committee has noted all the submissions and will make recommendations that will be presented to the Legislature and Executive.
