Story by Tichaona Kurewa
PEOPLE with disabilities are appreciative of the Second Republic’s inclusive development agenda after getting an opportunity to interact with their representatives in parliament.
The first of its kind, the engagement held in Chisuma, under Chief Mvuthu in Hwange saw Senators representing people with disabilities engaging their constituency, with various issues including human rights, taking centre stage.
“The engagement was an eye opener, we are aware now that we are equal to all our siblings,” said a participant.
“We are people with disabilities but we learnt that we should also work for ourselves not to wait for handout. We just appeal for support to embark on various income generating projects, as we have been encouraged here,” said another.
The local leadership concurs the engagement is key in highlighting the need for communities to live in harmony.
“People in communities will no longer look down those with disabilities at the same time those with disabilities had their confidence boosted. We will also take this message to our village meetings so that everyone is treated equally,” said Headman Maratuza.
Councillor Bonginkosi Moyo echoed the same sentiments, “The engagement was fruitful, it has given light as to how we should treat people with disabilities. The lessons learnt here will be taken to all our meetings so that people live well.”
Senators Ishmael Zhou outlined the purpose of the engagement, “Some people don’t know the rights of people with disabilities, so we want to raise awareness on this issue as well as encourage people with disabilities to actively participate during the Disability Bill Consultations to start next month. We also push for the decentralisation of Welfare offices to Victoria Fall from Hwange.”
Zimbabwe is one of the first countries to enact the Disability Persons Act, with plans in motion to align the act to the 2013 constitution and emerging global trends.
