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KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

SEBENZILE

SEBENZILE P. MATSEBULA

Title: Experiences of an African Woman on Disability Rights & Social Participation - A Journey in the Life of a Disability Activist wthin the Context of Government Policy on Mainstreaming Disability.

Having lived through an era of disempowerment as a black woman with a disability, I value the new political dispensation of South Africa and all the opportunities that are provided for people with disabilities.

My work experience spans from working as a research officer in Biometry to serving as a Director in the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons in the Presidency to working as an Executive Director of the African Access Group of companies. Whilst serving in all these positions I was active in the disability movement in the Southern African region and internationally.

I became a member of the disability movement in 1986. I was part of the leadership in the Southern African region that worked towards influencing the change of paradigm of the disability model from one of a “charity and welfare” model to one of a “social development and human rights” model.

Achievements have been in the areas of business development; providing leadership roles, developing and presenting research papers, establishment of a disability studies Course at UCT, training, participating in international partnerships and consulting services for the UN. I serve as a board member of Action on Disability and Development; Telkom; the Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust; the African Decade of Disabled Persons; the Centre for Centre for Alternative and Augmentative Communication; Rehabilitation International; the FirstRand Foundation and the Thabo Mbeki Development Trust for Disabled People.