Abstract:
The persistent issues of disability in the workplace remain a significant global concern,
hence previous studies have shown that persons with disabilities continue to face
substantial barriers to career advancement, leading to a pronounced employment rate
gap between those with and without disabilities. This study aims to explore
promotional opportunities for persons with disabilities in the selected Limpopo
provincial departments in South Africa. The study is exploratory and adopts a
qualitative method. It focuses on two provincial departments of the Limpopo Province
of South Africa, specifically the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Seventeen respondents
were purposively sampled, nine were persons with different disabilities and eight were
human resource management officials. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
using an interview guide to collect data. Thematic data analysis was utilised to analyse
the collected data, and themes presented in tables, pie charts, and percentages. The
study was limited to persons with disabilities and HRM officials. The findings show that
persons with disabilities applied for promotion and got promoted. However, they are
still in the same positions they were promoted to in previous years and mentioned
several barriers to their promotion. The findings revealed several barriers to promotion
such as a lack of promotional posts and opportunities, institutional barriers, and a lack
of assistive devices. The study recommends that government departments should
develop and implement policies that better support and accommodate persons with
disabilities, alongside offering comprehensive training, educational, and
developmental programmes
