As part of the commemoration of June 16, 1976, the Gauteng
Department of Community Safety also celebrates and supports leading youth with
disabilities in the province. The Department engaged with Mr Potso Mtjali, a
young blind man in a leadership role from Dan Tloome in Rand West City, an
entrepreneur, People with Disabilities (PWDs) Coordinator, and founder of the
Rand West Disability Business Chamber-NPC.
Mr Mtjali grew up in Lethabong, Rustenburg, in the North
West Province. “I studied different unit standards through learnerships such as
End User Computing, Business Administration, Employment Equity, and Generic
Assessor. I have a huge interest in community development, especially in
empowering and developing the lives of people with disabilities. In short, I
can say I am a disability activist.”
As a youth leader in Rand West City, 11 months ago, he was
appointed as a PWDs Coordinator at the Rand West City Municipality. His role
involves coordinating PWDs across the city, developing strategies and policies
that promote their interests within and beyond the Municipality, and creating
information-sharing programmes meant to equip and empower PWDs with knowledge
and opportunity.
Mr Mtjali ventured into business in 2014 after losing his
job as a Training Officer at Lancet Laboratories due to the loss of his
eyesight. He did not allow his disability to hinder his ambitions and has since
demonstrated that it is possible for a blind person to successfully own and run
a business. He has previously worked with the government on services such as
catering, supply of office equipment and consumables, cleaning materials, and
construction services. Currently, he owns Diffability Printing Solutions, which
operates as an Internet Café. The term “Diffability” reframes the concept of
“disability” to highlight that everyone possesses different abilities, focusing
on strengths, diversity, and inclusion.
Proud moments:
“I am a servant and activist within the sector, leading at
various levels including Chairperson of South African Blind Youth in Gauteng,
Deputy Chairperson of South African National Council for the Blind in Gauteng,
NEC Member of SANCB nationally, 2nd Deputy Chairperson of the Disability Sector
Civil Society Forum in Gauteng, Chairperson of Rand West Disability Business
Chamber in Rand West City, and Chairperson of Disabled People of South Africa
in my branch. I also serve as the Deputy Chairperson of the ANC Impumelelo
Branch in Ward 3 of Rand West City. I placed two people with disabilities as
employees at the Drawhawel Mega Project, assisted six individuals with
registering and complying with their companies, and donated walking aids and
assistive devices to members of my community. I have influenced the
participation of entrepreneurs with disabilities in all five Mega Projects in
the City: Dan Tloome (Wheatlands), Weston (Toekomsrus), Montrose (Kooksoort),
Afri Village (Randgate/Drawhawel), and Borwa (Westonaria).” He has also worked
with the South African Disability Business Chamber and Gauteng Disability
Business Chamber.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the DCS Transformation Unit
and the HOD hosted an Engagement Session with Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
on 29 July 2024 at the Lake Hotel. The event aimed to promote disability
inclusion, address challenges faced by entrepreneurs with disabilities in doing
business with the Gauteng Provincial Government, and to share the database of
PWD-owned companies with Supply Chain Management to support procurement
efforts.
The Department is committed to fostering relationships with
entrepreneurs with disabilities, bridging gaps, and creating access to
opportunities. PWDs are encouraged to register their companies on the Central
Supplier Database (CSD) and to participate in departmental programmes such as
GEYODI and GBVF Brigades.
In partnership with Transformation, the Department’s Supply
Chain Management (SCM) unit is collaborating with regional PWD business
coordinators to streamline CSD registration. Challenges encountered include the
low number of PWD-owned businesses registered on the CSD and delays in
submitting RFQs. Entrepreneurs with disabilities are encouraged to work with
Provincial Treasury to resolve administrative hurdles. Going forward, SCM will
prioritise procurement from a designated list of PWD-owned suppliers for specific
commodities and enforce compliance in the current financial year.
From the SCM budget, 7% is earmarked for businesses owned
by PWDs, with other allocations going to businesses owned by youth, women, and
Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs). According to Ms Lucia Khoza: Acting
Director Supply Chain Management, “We recognise that achieving these targets is
an ongoing process, and we are committed to refining our strategies and
strengthening our support systems to ensure greater success in the coming
quarters. We will continue to monitor our progress closely and implement
further adjustments as needed.”
Additionally, a transport company owned by a person with a
disability was contracted during the GBVF season in 2024/25. Other frequently
required commodities for departmental activities include: catering, venues and
facilities, accommodation, transport services, promotional items, stationery
and printing, cleaning consumables, groceries, advertising, and toiletries.
Section C, Articles 9 and 23 of the Gauteng Disability
Policy state the need to ensure that businesses owned and run by people with
disabilities receive preferential treatment in procurement, and access to
finance and credit. One of the key indicators is an increased number of such
businesses benefiting from BBBEE. Another is increased financing (ring-fenced
funds) for disability-owned enterprises.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Strategy on
Youth with Disabilities, as outlined in the Integrated Youth Development
Strategy (IYDS 2021:43), underscores the importance of reasonable accommodation
and the inclusion of youth with disabilities across all sectors. The strategy
affirms that youth with disabilities must be fully included in youth-targeted
programmes to uphold the principles of economic justice. It is also noted that
while South Africa has no single codified law for persons with disabilities,
all institutions are bound by the rights enshrined in the Constitution’s Bill
of Rights.
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety remains committed
to accommodating PWD-owned businesses, advocating for disability rights,
ensuring equal employment opportunities, and improving the working environment
for Employees with Disabilities (EWDs). Mr Mtjali offers this call to action:
“YWDs must play an active role in bettering South Africa—especially for PWDs—by
participating fully in community programmes and challenging misconceptions and
discrimination. From our homes to schools, institutions, and organisations, we
must raise awareness and ensure society acknowledges our rights and our equal
dignity.”