At the first National Dialogue convention held at UNISA’s Pretoria campus, members of the disability sector voiced strong frustration. Delegates, including those from the Presidential Working Group on Disability, said they felt excluded from both the planning and leadership of the event.
Despite the inclusion of Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux, and wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane in the Eminent Persons Group, the Working Group emphasised that having individual representatives is not a substitute for authentic, representative participation.
A visibly angry delegate described the experience as being “present, but muted,” comparing it to being a “stray cat” whose presence is tolerated but whose voice is ignored. The delegate recounted being physically trapped by stairs at the venue, preventing meaningful engagement in the dialogue.
The comments highlight the urgent need for accessible venues, inclusive governance structures, and meaningful representation to ensure that persons with disabilities are not merely included in name only, but are genuinely able to participate and contribute.
