Disability & Older Persons Political Party (DOPP) launch a branch in Gauteng

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Photo: Page3 Reporter

Gearing up for the next Local Government Elections in October, senior citizens of the country and people with disabilities say even after so many years, almost three decades they still feel left out in their own country and treated like the other.

The plea saw the 65 years old Mr Doctor Mayisela standing up to form new political party known as the Disabled and Older Persons Party (DOPP) seeking to secure a seat in the political sphere so as to address issues affecting elderly people and people with disabilities in the country.

He said that being under a democratically elected government, issues such as theirs would’ve also be treated with equal respect, consideration and dignity as those of people who are non-disabled.

“The government always treats us like children who are always happy and quite only when you give them something to eat.”

“Starting with local government, when it comes to IDPs the government should have ward committees to help them identify a number of disabled people in each and every and their disabilities so they can allocate a proper budget and solution to whatever issues they might have” said Mr Mayisela.

“We must however make it clear that membership is not only reserved for elderly people or people with disabilities only, even non-disabled people are welcome but people with disabilities will be at the forefront” he added.

Also speaking to Gauteng Co-ordinator Pinky Manganye, she said it is already hard being a woman in South Africa especially if you are black.

“It is already difficult to be a woman in this country now can you imagine being disabled for that matter, and black at the same time. First thing when you start the day, public transport doesn’t accommodate people like us and even operators make matters worse being impatient some of them.”

“Even the free houses that we get from the government don’t accommodate us in anyway and we as DOPP we want to make sure that we close those gaps.”

“Nothing for us without us” she added.

The party was originally started in Mpumalanga in 2019 according to the Gauteng Co-ordinator and this was their first major gathering outside of Mpumalanga.

Launching new branch in Gauteng, the event was held at Curro Academy School in Soshanguve.

Included among their manifesto the party calls for:
• Flat rate for pensioners (R300 for services for all pensioners)
• RDP (housing that is friendly for people with disabilities)
• Education accessible to everyone (more schools friendly for people with disabilities, etc.)
• Braille & interpreters (braille to be easily accessible to blind people and sign language to be made compulsory subject)
• Transport services (public transport services should be friendly for people with disabilities)

The party leader Mr Mayisela said that they are not interested in being the government leader, as long as they have a seat on the table to also make decisions.

He said they are ready for the coming elections and national elections.