Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
The 11th Edition of the National Disability Expo being held in Gwanda, Matabeleland South is on its final day, today 30 June.
The expo which started on Wednesday is being officially opened today. To start the day people with disability in the company of various stakeholders marched from Glow Petroleum Service Station up to Phelendaba Staduim where the expo is being held.
About 100 participants that include organizations of people with disabilities (PWDs), affiliates and associates of organizations of PWDs, Government ministries and other stakeholders exhibited at the expo.
The expo’s key focus is to enable those living with disabilities to be aware of existing technologies, equipment, aids, services, and products that can allow them to live fuller life.
This year’s edition of the National Disability Expo is running under the theme “Holistic Empowerment of Youth and Children with Disabilities towards the Attainment of Vision 2030. A better and brighter future for everyone.”
In an interview Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Abedinico Ncube said the successful hosting of the expo was an indication that stakeholders in Matabeleland South were prioritizing inclusion of people with disability.
“The National Disability Expo kickstarted on Wednesday and the turnout has been impressive. Various stakeholders have participated in the expo in different ways to ensure its success and I want to applaud the stakeholders for a sterling job. If we all support the drive by President Mnangagwa of empowering people with disabilities then we will record significant development as a nation,” he said.
Under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, the Second Republic has made great strides toward the creation of an inclusive society that recognizes the rights of people with disabilities, among them being the opening up of opportunities for them in empowerment programs.
Conscious of the need to take everyone on board, in June 2021, President Mnangagwa launched the National Disability Policy. This was followed by the setting up of the Technical National Coordination Committee in 2022 to provide guidance on the implementation of the policy.
The launching of the committee was also aimed at addressing the preconditions necessary for the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention of the rights of the persons with disabilities in 2013. Since the ratification of the convention, Zimbabwe has adopted a raft of measures to advance the rights of people with disabilities.
The National Disability Policy came at a time when Zimbabweans are collectively moving towards achieving the national vision of an empowered and prosperous upper-middle income society by 2030.
The policy calls on Government and other stakeholders to ensure access to employment for persons with disabilities and strive to ensure that 15 percent of their workforce in all sectors comprise people with disabilities.
@DubeMatutu
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Londile Moyo