An activist has praised Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae for organizing a landmark conference addressing workplace challenges faced by employees with disabilities. Kamohelo Teele, secretary general of the South African Disability Development Organization, described the gathering as the first interdepartmental meeting of its kind since 1994.
The province currently employs 339 workers with disabilities, representing just 1.1 percent of government staff and falling short of national requirements. Teele noted that previous provincial leaders neglected disability sector concerns, leaving Free State with the weakest performance record nationwide in hiring people with disabilities.
The premier attended both days of the November conference, which coincided with Disability Rights Awareness Month. She committed to partnering with administrative officials to resolve accessibility issues raised by participants. Teele characterized her approach as reflecting exceptional leadership aligned with constitutional human rights protections and the White Paper on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The province currently employs 339 workers with disabilities, representing just 1.1 percent of government staff and falling short of national requirements. Teele noted that previous provincial leaders neglected disability sector concerns, leaving Free State with the weakest performance record nationwide in hiring people with disabilities.
The premier attended both days of the November conference, which coincided with Disability Rights Awareness Month. She committed to partnering with administrative officials to resolve accessibility issues raised by participants. Teele characterized her approach as reflecting exceptional leadership aligned with constitutional human rights protections and the White Paper on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
