Dates set for disability musical expo

Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
BULAWAYO’s King George VI Children’s Rehabilitation Centre will this month join 10 other disability groups at the Africa Unity Square in Harare for the National Disability Expo (NDE).
The musical expo, which runs from July 30 to August 1, will see various groups of people with disabilities from around the country showcasing various skills in dance, music and playing instruments.

The event will also see communities being sensitised on the needs and strengths of people with disabilities.

The national event is being put together by the Office of the President and Cabinet (disability desk) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund. It will be held under the theme, “Empowering persons with disabilities through an inclusive Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation”.

Munyaradzi Munodawafa, St Giles Special School, Copota School for the Blind, Jairos Jiri Southerton (Harare), Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (AICOZ), Isheunopa Glenview (Harare), mbira player Chido Mutengwa, Gonora, and Mutendi Brass Band are some of the groups billed to perform.

Chairman of the national steering committee Dr Gift Mabaudhi, said the expo was meant to create a platform to showcase the capabilities of people with disabilities.

“The main aim of the national disability expo is to create a platform to showcase the capabilities of people with disabilities, at the same time seeing that they are given maximum attention.

“We also are keen to create an interactive platform that enables meaningful dialogue on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation,” he said.

According to Ticha Muzavazi, the expo’s entertainment facilitator, the performing groups are expected to bring new talent to the stage.

“The disability expo launched in 2013 and it continues to grow as the Office of the President realises that there is a need for a concerted effort to address the glaring inequalities experienced by persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe,” he said.