Madam Speaker, even though South Africa celebrated the 12th anniversary of the new Constitution this year, it is still faced with many challenges in achieving a society that is free of discrimination on the basis of physical disability, race and gender. Gender inequality, racism and discrimination against physical or mental disability are some of the problems which government still lacks the capacity to fully solve implement in its policies.
The IFP believes that in order for the country to be able to effectively implement such policies, it must undergo a paradigm shift with regard to how resources are allocated and how people relate to each other. The government and all relevant stakeholders, whether public sector or private sector, need to be thoroughly trained with regard to people with disabilities and their different requirements as well as the importance of addressing gender mainstreaming.
Furthermore, with regard to gender mainstreaming, one cannot deal with gender discrimination without tackling the issues of socialisation and culture. They both play an important role in shaping our society.
The Equality Act has been in place for eight years now but, in reality, it has not yet had the desired effect on our people. The IFP calls for a renewed effort by all South Africans to consign discrimination to the dustbin of history. The IFP accepts the report. I thank you.