The Disabled Children’s Action Group Western Cape (DICAG WC) successfully hosted a landmark Youth Summit for young persons with disabilities at Hendon Park in Gordon’s Bay from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November, marking a significant step towards inclusive policymaking in South Africa.
Dr Washiela Banien Sait, CEO of DICAG WC, explained that the parent-led organisation advocates for the rights, inclusion and empowerment of children and youth with disabilities.
“We support families through advocacy, capacity-building and developmental programmes, with the aim of creating communities where every child belongs and thrives,” she said.
The summit was inspired by a vision of deputy minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks who, earlier this year, called for a youth-led platform on which young people with disabilities could speak directly to policymakers about their lived experiences, aspirations and challenges. DICAG WC responded to this call, bringing more than 90 young participants and their parents together for what is being hailed as a first-of-its-kind event in the country.
Operating under the theme “Our Voice, Our Future, Our Inclusion”, the summit featured engaging sessions focused on leadership, advocacy and inclusion. Parents, staff and volunteers across the province collaborated to bring this vital platform to life.
Hendricks delivered a heartfelt address entitled “Every Child Matters: Voices of Our Future”.
He stressed that he stood before those present, not just as a government representative, but as “a father, an uncle and a fellow South African”, underscoring his commitment to listening with an open heart.
Hendricks praised the youths at the gathering, noting that the messages on their placards during a silent march spoke volumes about dignity, inclusion and accountability.
“You reminded us that inclusion is not an act of charity; it is a recognition of human worth. And you reminded us, too, that government’s responsibility is not only to speak about inclusion but to make it real, in policy, in practice and in the everyday lives of our children.”
He paid an emotional tribute to parents and caregivers for their unwavering love and resilience, acknowledging their fight is “not for privilege but for fairness”.
“No mother should beg for a grant that is her child’s right. No teacher should turn a child away because of their disability,” Hendricks pointed out.
Highlighting government priorities, he announced a commitment to expanding early-childhood development services, integrated family support and faster coordination among social, health and education services, including advocacy for ring-fenced funding dedicated to children with disabilities.
“Our task as adults, as leaders and as communities, is not to fix children. It is to fix systems that exclude them. Let us create a South Africa that honours every child’s potential and every parent’s effort.”
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