Story by Lisa Masuku
The government says the inclusion of people with disabilities in all sectors of the economy is key in ensuring no one is left behind in the national development agenda.
Handing over wheelchairs donated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to people with disabilities, the Director in the Office of the Special Advisor on Disability Issues, Mr Macnon Chirinzepi highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring people with disabilities are not left behind in the national development matrix.
Mr Chiripenzi said, ‘‘Persons with disabilities should be seen as equals. We should not discriminate, we should move with them so that we promote the attainment of national goals.’’
With Bulawayo being the latest province to benefit from the nationwide rollout of wheelchairs which has seen each province receiving 10 wheelchairs, the beneficiaries expressed utmost gratitude to President Mnangagwa.
One of the beneficiaries said, ‘‘Our son has been facing a lot of challenges. It’s hard to move with him because of his condition. The looks that we get from people when we board public transport with him because he is not steady, it’s really discriminatory. However, today is a new dawn, we believe all our troubles are a thing of the past.’’
A resident noted, ‘‘I just want to extend my gratitude to the government. We have never seen such a gesture. The Second Republic really is a listening government that cares for its people.’’
Some of the provinces that have received wheelchairs include Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Mashonaland East.
