PRETORIA – A team of South African social workers, caregivers, and government officials is set to travel to Japan for specialised training on respite care for children with disabilities, under a joint initiative by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Fifteen participants—including DSD staff from the national office, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape—underwent pre-departure training in Pretoria from 17 to 20 June 2025. Their trip to Japan, scheduled from 2 to 19 July, forms part of the “Project for the Expansion of Respite Care Services to Families of and Children with Disabilities.”
The training will introduce the South African delegation to Japan’s decades-long experience in inclusive disability care. It includes visits to early childhood centres, special schools, and adult day facilities, with the aim of applying the insights to local pilot projects. Participants will also meet Japanese families, disability advocates, and practitioners, gaining exposure to a model that supports independence for children and relief for their caregivers.
JICA advisors, including Mika Kusakabe and Eva Nderumaki, noted the value of this exchange in shaping inclusive services that reflect South Africa’s diverse needs. According to Dr Akiko Nagae, a Japanese expert in child disability care, simple tools and family-led support are key to improving quality of life.
The initiative feeds into South Africa’s broader efforts to finalise a national disability inclusion policy. The White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities continues to guide service delivery, particularly in underserved areas. DSD Director Cecilia Mazibuko said the department is expanding services such as therapeutic support, assisted living, protective workshops, and respite care across the country.
For parents like Boniswa Kanguwe, who also works as a policy developer in the Northern Cape, the exchange is personal. She sees respite care as essential support for families who are often isolated by stigma or limited resources.
The partnership between DSD and JICA, which began in 2012, aims to scale sustainable, community-based care across South Africa. Participants from the upcoming training are expected to return with practical strategies for improving access, measuring real-life impact, and shifting attitudes about disability inclusion.
Discussion about this post