The Eastern Cape Provincial Government used this year s International Day for Persons with Disabilities to send a clear message: disability inclusion is no longer a pledge; it is an accountability mandate. Hosted at the Feather Market Town Hall in Gqeberha under the bold theme From Policy to Practice: Accountability in Disability Inclusion Across Spheres of Government,” the 2025 commemoration doubled as a provincial stock-take of progress and a call to action for the years ahead.

Positioning the Eastern Cape as a frontrunner in disability rights, the event drew together senior government officials, civil society, rights advocates and hundreds of persons with disabilities. It served as a platform to confront persistent gaps, celebrate hard-won gains, and build consensus on an accelerated five-year provincial programme for disability inclusion.

In his keynote address, Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane declared that the day was not merely ceremonial, but a moment for government to account directly to the people. Premier Mabuyane delivered a candid assessment of the province s journey; We have made progress, but it is uneven. Gaps remain. The lived reality of far too many people with disabilities does not yet reflect the rights guaranteed to them”, he said.

He stressed that disability inclusion must shift from being a compliance checkbox to a non-negotiable moral, ethical and constitutional obligation, and reaffirmed the province s commitment to shaping a society where persons with disabilities fully participate, access services without barriers, and enjoy equal opportunities.

Across departments, municipalities and social partners, the Eastern Cape has intensified efforts to mainstream disability in all policy and service delivery processes. These include strengthening institutional coordination, improving accessible infrastructure, boosting representation, and broadening support services.