Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
With the festive season in full swing, event organisers and promoters have been urged to “always” consider People with Disabilities (PWDs) when curating shows, to ensure they enjoy the same access and experience as every other attendee.
These concerns were raised by a beautician and PWDs advocate Michelle Madau, on the sidelines of a recent gospel music event in Bulawayo.
Madau said the event’s arrangements clearly showed that the needs of PWDs had not been factored in, as there was no designated or accessible area for them. She noted that such oversights make it difficult for PWDs to fully enjoy events, even when they pay the same ticket fees as everyone else.
“When I attended a local gospel concert, I was disappointed to find out that there were no special entry points designed for PWDs. Some use crutches like me, while some depend on wheelchairs for transportation. However, at the gig, there was no temporary firm pavement that supported the use of a wheelchair.
“To make things worse, some PWDs found chairs at the back, and they could barely see what was taking place on the stage. Such an experience may evoke emotions, as these people may sometimes feel like they are looked down upon.
“PWDs are humans like everyone else, as they also have a right to party and enjoy a night out. But sometimes, you find out that they end up not attending the gigs because they feel side-lined,” said Madau.
Responding to the concerns, Bulawayo-based promoter Mduduzi Mdlongwa, who also serves on the Zimbabwe Promoters’ Association (ZPA) committee, said promoters had since agreed to take active steps to accommodate PWDs at events and make environments inclusive.
“One of the voices of PWDs, Michelle (Madau), approached me after her experience at a local show and it touched me so much. As a promoter, I honestly never gave it a thought to create a platform that would also be safe for them.
“This prompted me to raise the issue at our last meeting with local promoters, and we agreed that, for every event, ‘it is a must’ to curate our gigs and provide services to PWDs because they are part of our patrons and they pay their hard-earned money to be part of our events.
“We agreed that an area closer to the stage must be comfortably created to accommodate PWDs so that they get a clear view of these events and get a sense of belonging to the presented craft. We hope to create a platform that treats all our patrons equally,” said Mdlongwa.
In a move to further empower PWDs and encourage them to attend local events confidently, Madau, who was among the PWD champions awarded brand new cars by President Mnangagwa, has pledged to offer transportation to any PWDs needing vehicle services to attend shows.
