Disability and Democracy, On Air

Mike Mpahawa, Cape Town, producing a weekly programme on disability and democracy for Democracy Radio

How can blind people poll in secrecy if someone else has to mark their ballot paper? That’s just one small example of the issues facing disabled people in the democratic process. How can we ensure that disabled people participate with the same rights as everyone else in democracy? For Michael Mpahawa, communicating this on radio is at the heart of concept of participatory democracy.

Producing a weekly programme on disability and democracy for Democracy Radio in Cape Town Mpahawa’s work is heard on community radios across South Africa. Disseminating accessible information about national policy issues on disability, he says his work is empowering ordinary South Africans and their organisations. His programme provides people clear information and a space to articulate their views on disability and the rights of the disabled.

But democracy is much broader than simply casting a vote from time to time says Michael: “Everyone, everyone should be able to hold government accountable and be able to make their voices heard during the process of policy formation and implementation”.

“Above all, this is a space for people to make their voices heard if they’re not happy with what’s going on” says Michael.
Resource:
Democracy & Disability in South Africa: Still Three Nations
By Charlotte Vuyiswa McClain can be found online at:
www.disabilityworld.org/06-08_02/gov/southafrica.shtml