In the hopes of radically including people with disabilities in the EPWP programmes, the Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI) MEC, Dibolelo Manci, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), saw yet another significant milestone added to the EPWP’s approach to inclusion.

This was in the form of the Free State EPWP Disability Framework (FS-EPWPDF), launched in Parys, Ngwathe Local Municipality, on 27 July. MEC Manci, as the custodian of the EPWP in the Free State, attended the event to set the tone and call on EPWP implementers to change their traditional ways of conducting business and radically include people with disabilities.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today’s launch of the Free State EPWP Disability Framework marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Free State. We are not gathered merely to introduce a Framework; we are gathered here to implement it. Implementation means reviewing recruitment processes to eliminate barriers, ensuring accessible workplaces and providing reasonable accommodation,” said Manci.

The launch brought together stakeholders involved in advancing the EPWP and disability inclusion, including the National Department of Public Works, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), DeafSA, the Association for Persons with Disabilities, the Society for the Blind, the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support, Disability Support Services at CUT and EPWP implementing public bodies.

Manci said the framework represented a collective commitment to ensuring opportunities are not determined by physical ability, but by potential, determination and contribution to society.

Head of Department Molato “Steve” Tshabalala said the framework should represent a shift in thinking among implementing agents.

“The Free State EPWP Disability Framework should represent a significant shift in thinking, particularly among implementing agents. We need to move from compliance to commitment, from counting numbers to changing lives, and strive for genuine inclusion,” he said.

Manci said her department would lead by example, assuring stakeholders that the 2% minimum and 5% maximum recruitment threshold for people with disabilities would be achieved in the EPWP by the end of 2026.

Stakeholders also committed to strengthening disability mainstreaming, improving monitoring and data collection, working with municipalities and ensuring accessibility becomes standard practice.