EAST LONDON- A powerful call for inclusive education and employment echoed through the halls of the University of Fort Hare(UFH) on May 16, 2025, as the Office of the Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality(BCMM) hosted the Youth Disability Inclusion Program.
The event, themed ‘Mainstreaming Youth with Disabilities: Opportunities, Challenges and Collaborative Solutions,” brought together young people with disabilities, academics, policy-makers, and civil society actors.
UFH interim Chair in Sexualities and Genders,Dr. Bellita Banda, commended the initiative, saying, “This space was intentionally designed to help us learn what it truly means to promote the mainstreaming of youth living with disabilities within our teaching institutions. It is both reflective and forward-thinking.”
Youth Manager at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Salizwa Kotobe, , underscored the importance of collaborative problem-solving, “We are here to try to come up with solutions that are going to make sure our young people who are disadvantaged in terms of disability happen to be included in all the economic and education aspects.”
The event included a dynamic panel discussion and a site visit to the Khayalethu Protective Workwear Centre, which provides skills development and employment support for youth with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Furthermore, Chairperson of Students living with Disabilities and a member of the South African Youth Council Yomelelani Mabaso, emphasized that inclusion must extend beyond academic spaces, “Talks about disability must not end in the university spaces. It must go out to the communities. People living with disabilities need to be included in all aspects of life.”
The event was well-attended by representatives from various stakeholders, including the Department of Labour, South African Human Rights Commission(SAHRC) and various Non-Governmental Organisations(NGO’s). Together, they explored practical strategies to expand access to education, employment and support systems for young people with disabilities.
The Youth Disability Inclusion Program marked a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and empowering young people with disabilities in Buffalo City. By fostering collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, the event laid the groundwork for meaningful change and highlighted the importance of extending disability inclusion beyond academic spaces into communities and workplaces.
Photograph: BCMM/Supplied
Lindokuhle Tonono
