Vusumuzi Dube
Sione Amidu, Gwanda Correspondent
THE Gwanda Town Council has been urged to include people with disabilities in developmental programmes in line with the Government’s drive of ensuring no one and no place is left behind.
The Gwanda council on Wednesday held their 2023 budget review and 2024 budget consultative meeting with people with disabilities as they seek to have them participate more in council programmes.
Gwanda Mayor, Councillor Thulani Moyo said it is important for people with disabilities to be part of the consultation process and participate in the decision making process for the town.
People with disabilities raised their concerns stating that they also need recognition in every sector.
Mr Stephen Nkomo commended Gwanda city fathers for considering them in decision making and allowing them to lay out their concerns.
He also appealed to the local authority to make high consideration in terms of introducing recreation competition platforms as well as arts and cultural programmes; making deliberate budget allocations.
“We implore the local authority to consider budgetary support to sports within our disabled community.
We are used to seeing people like us in other cities playing football and other sporting activities on their wheel chairs; support to this facility is a very beneficial service to the community. Deliberate development focus in these important spaces promotes our wellness,” he said.
Clr Moyo said council was going to make it a point that all their needs were considered by including them in every sector.
“I have heard all their concerns and grievances but we are going to make it a point that we follow the policy which states that people with disabilities are to be considered in whatever council has. They should not be discriminated or left out because they are differently abled.
“In a number of scenarios, people with disabilities become victims and are not heard but we have a gender focal person for them, sign language is one of the key areas that we are looking into. We are going to employ the desk so that when we hold full council meetings they will be someone who will be on the sign language desk interpreting,” he said
He also urged society not to judge people with disabilities based on their physical condition.
Bongani Ndlovu