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Victor Maphosa Herald Correspondent
South Africa’s Ministry of Social Development yesterday donated 10 latest versions of Samsung tablets to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre. The gadgets are for imparting information communication technology skills to people with autism.
Autism is a complex neuro-behavioural condition.
Handing over the donation to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza in Harare, South Africa’s Deputy Minister for Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, said her ministry was committed to assist the disabled in Zimbabwe acquire ICT knowledge.
“On our last visit to Zimbabwe, we travelled around and when we went to Ruwa, we made a commitment that we will assist people with autism and when we learnt that we were part of the commission to visit Zimbabwe, we told ourselves that we will fulfil our commitment,” she said.
“These (tablets) work in training people with autism since they cannot use a computer, but can use a tablet, that was our concern when we visited the centre. We brought 10 as promised, preloaded with relevant software which is friendly to the intended beneficiaries.
“We will continue to assist Zimbabwe in areas that has to do with social development. It is very important for Zimbabwe and South African’s social sectors to work together all the time.”
She said her government will also assist Zimbabwe develop a proper curriculum on sign language, among other things.
Minister Nzenza commended the gesture.
“We are very pleased with the sense of commitment coming from the Ministry of Social Development of South Africa in recognising the need that we have among our dis-abled people. Through your support the centre is embracing technology.
“We want to thank you for supporting the modernisation of Zimbabwe which is one of our President’s key mandate as we move towards Vision 2030, which is to make Zimbabwe a middle income country.”
Online Reporter