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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
THE eye-catching artwork by Ms Nompilo Nkomo (42) exhibited at the 11th Edition of the National Disability Expo is indeed a clear demonstration that disability is not inability.
Ms Nkomo who is physically challenged and has speech impairments uses her feet to draw and paint. Her drawings and paintings capture diverse realities of the world. She depicts people’s encounters in various sectors such as religion, agriculture, gender issues, livelihoods, the natural environment and community among others. She left many mesmerised by her skill of painting with her feet.
Having grown up in a rural community, Ms Nkomo could not go to school like her peers because of her disability. She spent most of her time seated at home, which made her develop a love for art.
“I was born disabled and when I was seven years old, my grandmother took me to school. She would carry me there and come and collect me later. As the years went by, it became difficult for my grandmother to carry me to school and I stayed at home. It was also difficult for me to cope in school as I have difficulties speaking.
“When I was at home, I would sit outside on the ground and start drawing on the sand. I used to draw things that I would see around me. The nature around me, animals, people, the activities taking place around me and interactions between people. Wherever I would go, I used to come up with ideas for my paintings,” she said.
Ms Nkomo’s grandmother noticed her love for art and would give her a pen and paper to draw. At first, Ms Nkomo’s drawings were in black and white but she later requested for paint so that she could add colour to her drawings.
Her grandmother realised how talented she was and assisted her with resources to do her paintings. Ms Nkomo displayed great talent in art even though she had not received any formal training.
In 2005, the National Council of the Disabled Person of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) identified Ms Nkomo and offered her financial support to pursue her studies. She did her Form One to Four at Danhiko Secondary School in Harare.
In 2003, she joined the Mzilikazi Arts and Craft Centre where she underwent a three-year course to develop her art work. She later received a grant to embark on a visual arts programme which helped market her work. Ms Nkomo has showcased her work at the National Art Gallery among other platforms.
She sells her art work as far as Victoria Falls. Ms Nkomo said art is her way of expressing herself and communicating with others since she has difficulties speaking.
She said it was also her way of depicting how she understands different issues in society. Ms Nkomo who is also an activist for people with disabilities said she was grateful for the assistance she has received as it has helped her explore her talent further.
She said it is crucial for people with disabilities to be given a platform to develop their skills.
Ms Nkomo said unfortunately, some people with disabilities are hidden away from society and are not given the opportunity to realise their potential.
“Each person with disability has their area of expertise where they can significantly contribute towards developing the nation. Unfortunately some people with disability never get the platform. I would like to urge families, communities to uplift people with disabilities and not crush them. Children with disabilities also need to be given a chance to get an education.
“A person shouldn’t be judged by their appearance. Many people get shocked when they see me painting because when they see me they think of someone who can’t do anything or someone whose brain doesn’t function well. When I try to talk to people they are quick to dismiss me because of the manner in which I talk but in actual fact, I’m just like anyone else out there,” she said.
Ms Nkomo was born on 25 December 1980 in Esigodini. Her mother died when she was at a tender age and she was raised by her grandmother. He father died in 2005.
The country recently held the 11th edition of the National Disability Expo in Gwanda, Matabeleland South. The disability expo was held under the theme, “Holistic Empowerment of Youth and Children with Disabilities towards the attainment of Vision 2030. A better and brighter future for everyone.” 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 a fuller life.
Under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, the Second Republic has made great strides towards the creation of an inclusive society that recognises the rights of people with disabilities, among them being the opening up of opportunities for them in empowerment programmes.
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 Co-ordination 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 comprises of people with disabilities. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter