QWAQWA — As South Africa marks Disability Rights Awareness Month, Patrick Vilakazi cast his vote from home — and used it to send a warning to incoming leaders: Stop deciding for us, without us.
Vilakazi voted through a special vote home visit facilitated by the IEC, after applying for a home visit. The form is available at IEC offices and on the IEC website.
But for him, this election was about more than a ballot.
“Any organisation or anyone who makes decisions regarding people with disabilities without involving them is a manipulator and conspirator,” he said.
He cautioned leaders against making decisions on behalf of persons with disabilities without consulting them.
“We can’t wait endlessly while our rights, dignity, opportunities and promises remain unfulfilled. The policies are developed to bring meaningful change, not to remain on paper,” he said.
Vilakazi also challenged society to drop the pity narrative.
“Disability is uniqueness, not a symbol of born failure. People with disabilities are not a burden to society. We are not useless people. We are not beggars. We are people of value and impact,” he said.
“There is ability in disability; therefore, people with disabilities must be proud of ourselves.”
Disability Rights Awareness Month runs from 3 November to 3 December, culminating in the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Vilakazi’s message was clear: inclusion is not charity. It is a right.
