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Fungai Lupande
Mash Central Bureau
Councillor Joseph Chikutura is visually impaired, but he is defying the odds in Rushinga District where he recently won the Zanu PF primary elections, which allows him to represent the revolutionary party again in Ward 13.
His is a classic case indicating that communities are now seeing beyond a candidate’s physical challenges and will support anyone as long as they can deliver the goods.
The Second Republic led by President is walking the talk in its drive to emancipate and empower persons living with disability.
Such a deliberate approach has seen the appointment of persons with disabilities to senior management and decision-making positions.
Tenacious and hard working, Clr Chikutura won his primary election by accomplishing several developmental projects in his ward and is a man with a great vision for the area.
His story is a testimony of the power of creating an enabling environment for people with disabilities to flourish and do great things for their communities.
Communities have come a long way in embracing and supporting people with disabilities since the launch of inclusive policy by the Government.
Clr Chikutura established a piped water scheme at Kazanga Primary School in 2020, a project that had stalled in 1992. When he was first voted into Local Governance in 2018, he instigated the construction of a staff house at his local clinic.
He started the construction of a classroom block at Chimhanda Primary School. Clr Chikutura said the school was overpopulated, with five classes learning under trees.
Children travelled 10km to Chimhanda, Kasare or Rumwe primary schools and they decided to establish an early childhood development centre in the Chipoto area.
His wish is to establish a special school for people with disabilities.
Said Clr Chikutura: “People listen to what you say. Having sight doesn’t correspond to having the brains. I sit down with the community and we put ideas on the table together.
“This is what helped me in my political career. It is not easy to contest in politics with able-bodied people. You will be humiliated and insulted. I never allowed the insult to get to me and I would tell people that those with sight will steal resources, including people’s wives.”
Clr Chikutura is supported by the local Member of Parliament, Cde Tendai Nyabani, and his community.
He lost his sight later in 2014 and accepted his condition through counselling and praying.
But he regrets resigning from his job after losing his sight due to a lack of knowledge. “I believed that I could no longer do anything productive. Now I see that I lost an opportunity to continue to fend for my family,” he said.
“We only have a National Disability Policy and we are appealing to Government to sign an Act of Parliament for effective implementation.
“We also want a quota system for people with disabilities to increase the number of representatives.”
Speaking at a consultative meeting for people with disabilities, Dr Gilliet Chigumwe, a lecturer at the Zimbabwe Open University, said society has positively transformed since Government adopted the inclusivity policy.
“In the past, children with disabilities were hidden and had no chance of going to school. People with disabilities had no confidence in coming out in the open, interacting, and sharing ideas,” she said.
“The self-esteem of people with disabilities has been boosted by the support they are getting. However, we are still lagging in infrastructure development.
“Some schools don’t have ramps or wheelchair-friendly toilets, causing children with disabilities to crawl into toilets. It takes you and me to make a better world for everyone,” said Dr Chigunwe.
People with disabilities who are excelling are getting support from their caregivers, neighbours, and communities, so that they rise and shine.
Director in the Office of the Special Advisor on Disability Issues, Mr Macnon Chirinzepi, said he was inspired by Clr Chikutura, who competed against able-bodied people and won.
He was representing Dr Joshua Malinga, the Special Advisor on Disability issues in the Office of the President.Mr Chirinzepi said people with disabilities were excelling in different sectors of society.
“This comes as Zimbabwe appreciates disability as one of the mainstream aspects of society. People with disabilities are now aware of their need to be present in structures of development,” he said.
“We thank President Mnangagwa for establishing an inclusive society that leaves no person and no place behind.
“The President’s vision of an upper-middle class economy by 2030 and Government policies are anchored on inclusivity where persons with disabilities fully enjoy their rights and meaningful participation in the development of their country,” he said.
Mr Chirinzepi urged all persons with disabilities in their diversity to unite and work together towards attaining Vision 2030 and objectives of the National Development Strategy 1.
Ten people received wheelchairs from President Mnangagwa at that consultative meeting.
Online Reporter