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Nothing about us without us: Self-representation in Social Protection in Southern Africa

The motto ‘Nihil de nobis, sine nobis (Nothing about us without us)’ stems from legislation in Central Europe shifting power from monarchs to nobility in the 16th century and has more recently been popularised by the South African disability movement. In an alliance with labour and liberation movements, notably the African National Congress (ANC), the movement pioneered a global process that led to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009. The Convention helped to bring about a shift from a medical to a social model of disability and to enshrine a rights-based approach with full political participation, just as the phrase ‘Nothing about us without us’ demands: participation in decision-making by those affected by decisions. This is not always the case with respect to social protection policy in Southern Africa. Trade unions represent part of the workforce in social insurance policy, whereas self-representation in social assistance policy is virtually absent. This has problematic implications and needs to be addressed by ensuring wide stakeholder involvement in negotiations.