Eswatini Celebrates International White Cane Day

On Saturday, 22 October 2022, the United Nations Family joined the National Association of Persons with Visual Impairment in Eswatini (NAPVIE) in celebrating the International White Cane Day at the Millenium Park in Manzini.

The event was held under the theme: #WhiteCane Identifies, Protects My Sight: a plea for a conducive atmosphere, which aimed at raising awareness about the white cane and its significance in protecting persons with visual impairment.

UNFPA Head of Office, Ms. Margaret Thwala-Tembe, who represented the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr George Wachira, noted that despite many efforts done, more attention was still required to address challenges faced by persons with visual impairment, including in mobilizing resources.

Shortage of assistive devices such as white canes, inaccessible route in public spaces, are among the myriad challenges persons with visual impairment face in pursuit of their daily chores. 

“The United Nations in Eswatini continues to stand in solidarity with all persons with blindness and visual impairment by working with partners to create an enabling environment for all persons living with disabilities to thrive and live independent lives,” stated Thwala-Tembe. “The white cane is an important symbol of blindness and tool of independence."

According to the Population and Housing Census 2017, persons with disability form about 13% (146 554) of the total population in Eswatini and sight disability is the most prevalent category in the county with a prevalence rate of about 32%.

The commemoration of the International White Cane Day, which is done globally on the 15 October, creates an opportunity for a discussion on challenges and opportunities for persons with sight disabilities in society.

President of the Federation of Disabled in Swaziland (FODSWA) Mr Bongani Makama urged the Emaswati to familiarize themselves with some of the identifiers of disabilities.

“This year’s theme states the white cane identifies. Indeed, it a unique identifier. We need to popularize it through engagements with the public so that they understand what it means and how to protect the person carrying it,” Makama said.

The president’s words were echoed by Mr Mandla Methula who is the National Director. Mr Methula shared that disability friendly walkways could go a long way in protecting persons with visual impairment from getting hit by the cars or damaging their canes.

“It is difficult to replace or fix the white canes as they are not produced locally,” Methula said.

In Eswatini, the United Nations and the Government through the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office are currently implementing a disability mainstreaming project funded by the United Nations Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNPRPD) Among other things, the project seeks to establish a National Disability Council which will coordinate all disability related issues in the country.