THE IMPACT OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION STRATEGY ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES: A CASE OF THE ONIIPA CONSTITUENCY, NAMIBIA by Mr. Christopher Lubinda Mukumbuta Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION at the University of South Africa Supervisor: Ms. Marleen Rolland Date: January 2018 DECLARATION Name : Mr. Christopher Lubinda Mukumbuta Student Number : 39592332 Degree : Master of Public Administration Title: The impact of the community-based rehabilitation strategy on people with disabilities and their families: A case of the Oniipa Constituency, Namibia I declare that this dissertation is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. I also declare that this research paper was submitted only to the University of South Africa in partial fulfilment of the requirements to obtain a degree of Master of Public Administration, in the faculty of Management Sciences, Department of Public Administration and Management. ii ABSTRACT Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) emerged as a response to the failure of the conventional rehabilitation system in developing countries. CBR involves service provision to People with Disabilities (PWDs), changing community attitudes towards disability and transferring knowledge and skills to PWDs, their families and their community. The study investigated the impact of the CBR strategy on PWDs and their families within the Oniipa Constituency in Namibia. The study used a mixed methods research approach and adopted explorative and descriptive research designs. It determined that CBR has initiated positive change processes in community attitudes and increased social integration of PWDs. The study recommends reviewing the definition of CBR, providing financial incentives to CBR Volunteer Workers and reviewing the current legislations on disability in Namibia. A final recommendation is that government should formalise disability studies in the country through the provision of accredited training courses to ensure greater assistance to PWDs and their families. KEY TERMS: People with disabilities, community-based rehabilitation, disability, empowerment, impairment, marginalisation and rehabilitation. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Since this report is the result of the collective contribution and support of many people, I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by the following individuals and committees. 1. Firstly, I would like to glorify the name of the Almighty God for protecting and enabling me to complete my research project. 2. I wish also to recognise the valued support of my research supervisor, Mrs. Marleen Rolland at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She assisted me throughout the research process and her guidance and leadership will remain a great source of inspiration in my future learning journey. 3. My appreciation also goes to Ms. Lempie Mwatala, the Rehabilitation Coordinator for affording me an opportunity to conduct my research at ELCIN Rehabilitation Centre at Oniipa. Her support will remain a token of appreciation and remembrance forever. 4. Equally, I wish to express my appreciation to the Department of Public Administration and Management Research Review Committee for approving my Research Ethics Application for conducting research. Without an Ethical Clearance Certificate, it is practically impossible for the researcher to conduct research that involves human subjects. 5. I will be failing in my duties if I cannot recognise the moral and financial support provided to me by my beloved wife, Mrs. Bardiina Bennakie Mukumbuta. She motivated me to study even during the difficult times. I therefore express my profound gratitude to her and the children for enabling me to celebrate my academic achievement. 6. Finally, I wish to express my profound appreciation to the leadership and management of Oshikoto Regional Council for partly funding my studies. The financial assistance I received encouraged me to study hard and pass all coursework subjects during my first year. Keep up this good work, Oshikoto Regional Council, and God will reward you for it. iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CBR Community-Based Rehabilitation CBRVWs Community-Based Rehabilitation Volunteer Workers CDC Constituency Development Committee DPO Disabled People’s Organisation ERC ELCIN Rehabilitation Centre ELCIN Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia IDDC International Disability and Development Consortium ILO International Labour Organisation NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NSA Namibia Statistic Agency PWDs People with Disabilities UN United Nations UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNISA University of South Africa UNCRPD United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UPIAS Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation WB World Bank WHA World Health Assembly WHO World Health Organisation WRD World Report on Disability v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE ................................... 1 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background and Rationale ................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Problem Statement. .............................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Research Questions .............................................................................................................. 3 1.5 Aim and Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 4 1.6 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................... 4 1.7 Delineation of the Study ...................................................................................................... 5 1.8 Applicable Research Methodology ...................................................................................... 5 1.9 Definition of Key Concepts ................................................................................................. 6 1.10 Division of Chapters ............................................................................................................ 8 1.11 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................... 9 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Contextual Background ....................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Disability as a Global Phenomenon.............................................................................. 9 2.2.2 Disability in Namibia.................................................................................................. 10 2.3 The Evolution of ‘Disability’ ............................................................................................. 11 2.3.1 Current Understanding of Disability .......................................................................... 11 2.3.2 Traditional Views of Disability .................................................................................. 11 2.3.3 Challenging the Official Definition of Disability ....................................................... 12 2.4 Models of Disability .......................................................................................................... 13 2.4.1 Medical Model of Disability ....................................................................................... 13 2.4.2 Social Model of Disability .......................................................................................... 14 2.5 Legislative Framework for Disability Implementation...................................................... 15 2.5.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia ............................................................ 16 vi 2.5.2 National Policy on Disability ..................................................................................... 16 2.5.3 Affirmative Action (Employment) Act of 1998 ......................................................... 16 2.5.4 National Disability Council Act ................................................................................. 17 2.5.5 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ..................... 17 2.6 Challenges Faced by People with Disabilities ................................................................... 18 2.6.1 Health Care Barriers ..................................................................................................