President Thabo Mbeki has warmly congratulated the South African team for its achievements at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
"South Africa salutes and congratulates you for your achievements on our behalf in bringing home a total of 38 medals," he said in a statement released on Monday night.
Three years ago Mbeki said South Africans should stop seeing disabled people as objects of pity but as capable individuals who were contributing immensely to the development of society.
He added on Monday that he hoped the new democratic South Africa would become the kind of place where everybody had an equal chance of making his or her dreams come true, where all previously marginalised groups would help build a new society removed from prejudice and exploitation.
Addressing the Olympic squad Mbeki said: "We hoped for many achievements for people with disabilities. You have definitely exceeded them on the international sporting front.
"The 38 medals and the historical world records you bring home are an inspiration to the nation to overcome any obstacles we may face". - Sapa