The employment equity and work opportunity targets for people with disabilities should increase to at least seven percent by 2030 according to the Department of Social Development’s White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Yet, a report by the South African Human Rights Commission titled: Research brief on disability and equality in South Africa suggests that figure might be unattainable. The 2017 report states that in 2005, the public sector set its employment target for people with disabilities at two percent for that year, more than ten years later this target has still not been met.

Working for a better tomorrow

Netstar, pioneers in the vehicle tracking and recovery industry in South Africa, has demonstrated that it’s committed to employing people with disabilities. The organisation employed 11 hard of hearing men and women after a year-long training and development programme. The Business Administration programme was facilitated by iLearn – a national learning solutions company that works together with forward-thinking companies to grow their people and their businesses.

“All sectors have a role to play here. Employing people with disabilities needs to be a fundamental part of a company’s objectives and high on its list of priorities,” says Richard Rayne, CEO of iLearn.

The Business Administration NQF Level 3 Learnership programme trained learners on the best way to use on-board cameras to monitor and report on daily activities, particularly those that relate to the safety and security of drivers, as well as the 350 000 commuters transported every day. This operation forms an integral part of the fleet management systems of one of the country’s largest bus operators.

Netstar’s Group Managing Director, Pierre Bruwer explains that his organisation recognised that for individuals with a sensory impairment, their other sensors are often heightened, more astute and so compensate. In this case hard of hearing people have impeccable visual ability and are naturally perfect for this role.

The Impact

“We are excited that we’re able to employ all 11 learners from the programme and give them the opportunity to put their training to good use, and in so doing, increase our in-house skills base,” Bruwer says.

The past 12-months have not been without challenges, but it was all made easier by programme mentor, André Harington. Harington provided the team with training support for the duration of the course.

“The learners exceeded our expectations. I am honoured to have worked with this team, they have truly bloomed and we are all very proud of their accomplishment,” Harington adds.

Janelle Ramsami, one of the qualified monitoring agents, says she feels like she has come full-circle thanks to the skills development programme and her subsequent employment at Netstar.

“Some people think of deaf people as incapable, but through this programme we have proved them wrong. We’ve bridged the gap between able and disabled people and knowing we can make an equal contribution to society is inspiring,” Ramsami says.