In Focus

Locked gates, broken promises: South Africa’s inclusive-education crisis

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) says the wave of school closures triggered by protests in KwaZulu-Natal lays bare a deeper failure in South Africa’s inclusive-education system. The NCPD reports that in October 2025, 38 special schools in KwaZulu-Natal remained closed as locked gates symbolised protests by parents and educators demanding […]

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From silence to strength: facing life with bipolar disorder

Mental health still carries too much silence. In this honest reflection, one woman shares what decades of living with bipolar disorder have taught her about resilience, acceptance, and finding strength in support. By Carolyn Louise Erasmus Living with bipolar disorder has been one of the defining parts of my life, but not the only one.

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Building hope, one call at a time: how SADAG supports South Africans in crisis

October marks Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa—a time to recognise the urgent need for accessible, community-based care. SADAG’s work stands at the centre of that effort, connecting thousands of people each year to support, understanding, and hope. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is the country’s leading non-profit organisation dedicated to

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Reflections on the Adjusted Employment Equity Act and Disability Inclusion

The 1st January 2025, we witnessed the deployment of the amended South African Employment Equity Act (EEA). As persons with disabilities, we must ask: what has changed for us? Are these changes in our favour? Will we benefit—or will this be another well-intentioned policy that misses the mark? And how does it differ from the

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Prevention of FASD starts long before the clinic

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the leading preventable cause of developmental disability worldwide, and South Africa bears the heaviest burden. National estimates suggest one in twelve children is affected, with even higher rates reported in provinces such as the Western Cape and Northern Cape. In a typical class of forty pupils, two or three

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Understanding South Africa’s new 3% disability employment equity target

South Africa’s updated Employment Equity Amendment Act sets a new national target: at least 3% of a company’s workforce should be persons with disabilities. For a business employing 50 people, this means at least two employees must be persons with disabilities to meet the target. The rule applies to all “designated employers” — organisations with

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University of Pretoria students learn inclusion through blindfolds and wheelchairs

More than 100 University of Pretoria students spent a day swapping their everyday routines for blindfolds, ear muffs and wheelchairs to experience common barriers faced by people with disabilities. The on-campus exercise formed part of the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s third annual Disability Walk and set out to build practical awareness of

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Assistance dog denial prompts policy shift — and lessons for SA flyers

A woman with post-traumatic stress disorder was twice refused permission to fly with her assistance dog on Air New Zealand, before reaching a confidential settlement — and the airline has now changed its rules. The case, reported by ABC News, centres on Brisbane resident and former paramedic Lisa Robinson, whose Bichon Poodle, Lilly, alerts her

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Hospital funding fight puts disability care on the line

Australia’s states say a looming hospital funding shortfall could put essential care at risk — and people with disabilities may feel the impact first. In a sharp escalation, premiers from both sides of politics accuse the Commonwealth of underfunding aged care, forcing hospitals to hold patients who could be discharged if places existed. When beds

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