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Background
DPSA was formed in 1984 by disabled people as a body to represent themselves. DPSA is a democratic cross-disability body made up of member organisations of disabled people in South Africa. DPSA is recognised as the National Assembly of disabled people by Disabled People International [DPI], which has observer status in the UN.
Leadership Statement of Commitment
The DPSA Council of Leadership, supported by the staff, is committed to serve the organisation and its members by:
- practicing strong, and appropriate leadership
- building the organisation and all its members to thrive in the new millennium
- creating a culture of respect for diversity and nurturing tolerance of our differences
- developing and maintaining intellectual, social and economic wealth
These sets of values form the foundation of our collective and individual leadership accountability to the organisation and all its members.
We strongly uphold the principles of self-representation, integration, equality, cross-disability advocacy and diversity.
Our Mandate
"Ensure development and integration of disabled people into all spheres of life in South Africa"
Our Vision
"A South Africa accessible to all"
Our Mission
To be an effective and efficient democratic national assembly of all disabled persons, which mobilises us to advocate for our rights, for the attainment of equal opportunity in an integrated social, political and economic environment.
Our Slogan
"Nothing about us without us"
Our Logo
Values/Principles
- Self Representation
- Universal Access
- Integration
- Inclusion
- Cross-Disability
- Equality
- Human Rights
- Diversity
Networks/Affiliations
- South African Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition (SANGOCO)
- National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC)
- South African Disability Alliance (SADA)
- South African Women`s Coalition
- South African Youth Council
- Southern African Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD)
- Pan African Federation of the Disabled (PAFOD)
- Disabled Peoples` International (DPI)
- Academic institutions [University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University]
- Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
CORE BUSINESS
- Membership mobilisation
- Membership development
- Research
- Advocacy
- Lobbying
- Networking
KEY STRATEGIC ADVOCACY AREAS
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2008 - 2010
- Accessible Transport
- Education & Training
- Employment
- Housing
- Economic Empowerment/Entrepreneurship
- Human Rights
- Health Care (i.e. HIV & AIDS, Access to Health Care, etc).
-
2008 - 2009
- Education
- Transport
- Employment
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of DPSA are:
- To promote and advance the human rights of all disabled people in the Republic of South Africa;
- To work with any organisation whether involved in the disability field or not should this be in the interest or serve to advance the human rights of disabled people in the Republic of South Africa and beyond;
- To consider and pass comment on actual or impending legislation in the Republic of South Africa affecting the human rights of disabled persons and to apply for, petition for, or promote any act of Parliament or other legislative enactment desirable for the betterment of the lives and enhancement of the full participation of disabled people;
- To promote and where possible and appropriate, conduct research into disability matters and to provide members with information on developments in the disability field inside and outside the Republic of South Africa;
- To provide opportunities for exchange of views among members;
- To provide leadership so as to enable disabled people, as far as it is practicable, to speak with one voice on matters of national or international importance affecting disabled people;
- To develop strategies and programmes designed to inform the general public about disability and the human rights of disabled people and to present a proper appreciation of the problems experienced by and aspirations of disabled people;
- To affiliate to, or co-operate with, national and international bodies representing the interests of disabled people;
- To establish, support, administer, or aid in the establishment, supporting or administration of associations, funds and trusts calculated to economically and otherwise, empower or support disabled persons, including members of DPSA or their family members and generally to promote their inclusion in the development processes of society at large;
- Generally to do or undertake or advise on anything which may be expedient in the advancement of the human rights of and in the interest of disabled persons in general or members of DPSA in particular and the general public in relation to matters of concern to disabled people; and
- Generally to do such other things as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
Offices/Staffing
DPSA`s head office is in Cape Town and its eight provincial offices are based in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Free State and North-West and. Provincial Development Office in the Northern Cape is currently not operational, but in the process of being set up.
DPSA has a staff compliment of 52 individuals spread over South Africa in provincial offices. The Secretary General (SG) who reports to the National Executive Committee (NEC) leads DPSA`s day-to day activities. In addition a Provincial Development Coordinator, who reports to the Programmes Manager, leads each Provincial office. Each Province also has a Provincial Executive Committee who guides the activities of the organisation in the Province.
Governing Structure
Member organisations elect representatives to provincial councils in all nine provinces. The provincial councils elect representatives to serve on the DPSA National Council at a national assembly held every four years. The National Council elects an Executive Committee responsible for the overall management of the organisation. The overall operations of the organisation are managed by the Secretary General who also, from time to time, is mandated by the organisation to become its political spokesperson. The Secretary General also leads a management team [Programmes Manager, Finance Manager, Marketing & Fundraising, Human Resource and Research and Policy Development.
Leadership Structure
| National Chairperson |
Mr Muzi Nkosi |
| Deputy Chair : Human Rights |
Dr Siva Moodley |
| Deputy Chair : Development |
Mr Robert Masambo |
| Deputy Chair : Women |
Ms Sinah Gwebu |
| Deputy Chair : Youth |
Mr Thembinkosi Mngqi |
| Deputy Chair : Children |
Mr Mbusi Nzimande |
| National Treasurer |
Ms Portia Loyilane |
| Secretary General |
Mr Andrew Madella |
| Chief Executive Officer |
Mr Mzolisi ka Toni |
Management Structure
Our Programmes
DPSA ensures a special focus on the development of women
and youth in all its programmes. DPSA programmes vary
according to provincial needs and availability of funding.
Creates opportunity for disabled people to access
education and training. Advocates for Government to
adopt policies to advance the rights of disabled people.
Lobbies and campaigns for integration of disability into
national socio-economic development strategy. Supports
business development services for entrepreneurs with
disabilities. Deploys disabled people in rural communities to
inform other disabled people and the communities about
their rights. Therefore the following programmes are vehicles
that the organisation uses to achieve its mission
Membership Mobilisation and Development Programme
This programme is about mobilisation of disabled people into DPSA local structures/branches. When they are organised into these local structures, DPSA will then provide disability education and general development training to enable the members and the leaders to effectively and efficiently run their structures. This is where DPSA derives its district, provincial and national leadership.
Disability Economic Empowerment Programme (DEEP)
The programme seeks to facilitate development and participation of disabled people into economic activities. It links those who are involved in income generation with training and service providers.
Disabled Women Development Programme (DWDP)
The programme enables disabled women to be at the forefront of their own development. Recognising the additional disadvantage experienced by disabled women, this programme seeks to promote the participation of disabled women in the national movement for gender equality and facilitates the acquisition of leadership and self help development skills.
Disabled Youth South Africa (DYSA)
The programme aims to develop a programme to campaign for equal rights for disabled youth and awaken the awareness of disabled youth about healthcare, especially HIV and AIDS.
Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Disability Support Project
This programme is aimed at developing and exposing disabled people so that they take control of their own lives.
Highly Enhanced Advocacy for Rights and Transformation (HEART)
This programme constitutes our core business which is about development, awareness raising, advocacy, lobbying and networking which is aimed at changing the livelihoods of disabled people.
Research and Development Programme (Think Tank)
In order for the organisation to be strong and factual in their advocacy campaign, research needs to be undertaken to examine critical areas which prevents disabled people from participating in the mainstream society. The information gathered through research therefore assists them to advocate for their rights in an informed manner.
National Training Programme (NTP)
The programme is aimed at provincial and national leadership and deployed cadres. It involves exchange visits and direct exposure to strategic provincial, national and international meetings.
Registrations
NPO Number: 000 - 315
Section 18A tax exemption
VAT Registration No. 444/014/376/8 (VAT exempted)
The Benefits of Membership
DPSA offers its members:
- Restoration of dignity
- Participation in the disability advocacy movement
- Opportunities for economic empowerment
- Development in self-representation
Provincial Leadership
National Leadership
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