Fredrick Moyo
National Council for Persons with Disabilities Zimbabwe (NCPDZ) Chairperson Tavengwa Mazhambe said Covid-19 induced lockdowns came as a double tragedy for people living with disabilities most of whom earn a living through informal trading as their businesses succumbed to the effects of the restrictions
Speaking at the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) commemorations held at the Civic Centre in Masvingo on December 10, Mazhambe said the lockdowns severely affected them and many are still struggling to make ends meet.
“During this pandemic, disabled persons who earn a living from informal trading found it difficult to make ends meet. Many are in the informal sector and have been forced to stay at home.
“We have no other source of income and this makes life hard for us as school fees, rental and basic needs are needed,” said Mazhambe.
Speaking at the same event, a representative from Zimbabwe Parents for Handicapped Children (ZPHC), Cecilia Takudzwa Mapfumo thanked the recognition people with disabilities in society are having through such commemorations.
“As the parents of people who live with disabilities, we would like to thank this programme as it recognises our children. We are appealing for the increment for schools which cater for them so that they are able to learn well.
“Our children face many challenges especially when they reach 18 years. They fail to continue with their studies, so we are asking for universities that can accommodate persons with disabilities,” said Mapfumo.
Zimbabwe Albino Association Chairperson Kudakwashe Masvinyangwa said the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is an important event to them where they can air out their grievances.
“This is an important day to persons with disabilities. It is a day in which we make reflections on what people did to us, what should be done while saying out our grievances to our leaders.
“The disability bill should be enacted into an Act as it assists us. We want to have a chance to mingle with other people, pave way for us in time.
“We should also be given land so that we have something productive to assist us, especially in the Lowveld from that land we can have positive self-esteem in the Albino society. This will also help us in generating funds to boost the association from that land,” said Masvinyangwa.
Economic Development Director for Masvingo Province Clever Chingwara who stood in for the Minister of State said the commemorations were very important in creating awareness in various sections of society as well as understanding disability issues.
“The celebration of this day is an important thing to the promotion of rights especially for people with disabilities in all spheres of the society, this increases awareness, understanding disability issues,” said Chingwara
The commemorations ran under the theme: Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive, accessible and post Covid-19 world’.
