GroundUp reports that about 100 people with disabilities marched from King Dinuzulu Park to the Durban City Hall on Wednesday and gave the eThekwini Municipality seven days to respond to their demands.  

Among the marchers was a group from the Enduduzweni Centre for the Disabled in Umlazim, known for its long battle against eviction by the Department of Social Development.  One of the march organisers, Ndukuphansi Mnyandu, who is blind, said they had a lack of employment opportunities and difficulties getting houses.  Mnyandu commented:  “In South Africa, it is still very difficult for a disabled person.  Some of us have been on that [municipal job] database list for over ten years, yet we are not considered for any kind of employment.  Yet our constitution requires that we get considered.”  Mnyandu also indicated that the protesters wanted the municipality to address its relationship with NGOs that were funded by government and the private sector, but who did not assist people with disability in the way they should.  A municipal representative acknowledged receipt of the memorandum.

• Read the full original of Musa Binda’s report on the match at Groundup

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page