Eswatini unveils Advisory Council for persons with disabilities

On the 5th April 2023, the UN resident Coordinator, Mr George Wachira joined the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Themba Masuku in the inauguration of the National Advisory Council for persons with disabilities in the Kingdom of Eswatini at Ekwetsembeni Special School in Mbabane.

The UN in Eswatini in partnership with the DPMO is currently implementing a 2-year project funded through the United Nations Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD).  The enactment of this National Advisory Council forms part of the activities of the UNPRPD project which seeks to operationalize the Eswatini National Disability Act of 2018 by providing proper coordination and monitoring mechanisms for disability mainstreaming across all sectors and levels in Eswatini.

In his remarks, the Resident Coordinator highlighted the importance of having the National Advisory Council as a means of safeguarding the wellbeing of persons with disability in Eswatini. He noted that persons with disabilities are made vulnerable by a host of challenges, including the risk of sexual violence and exploitation.

“According to the UNPRPD Situation Analysis, women and girls with disabilities are at a higher risk to fall victim to sexual exploitation and rape due to their vulnerability and possibly reduced chance that perpetrators will be ever prosecuted,” stated Wachira.

He urged all stakeholders working on disability issues to adapt new ways to better the lives of all persons with disabilities.

“We have to harness technological advancements for the benefit of persons with disabilities. We can do more to acquire and adopt affordable assistive technologies to improve lives on persons with disabilities from pre-school, school and after school,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister described the inauguration as a symbolic day in Eswatini for persons with disabilities. “This also creates a positive platform for the country to look back, take stock and celebrate progress achieved over the years towards progressively addressing and redressing issues of persons with disabilities,” Masuku said. He urged the new council members to “go and be servants of the nation.”

Mr Thembinkosi Dlamini, the Executive Director for the Coordinating Assembly of Non-government organisations (CANGO), urged all partners to make disability a priority to ensure that no one is left behind. “Mainstreaming disability is not a matter of charity but a matter of rights. Let us work together and support all the initiatives done to make the lives of those with disabilities better,” he said.

The members of the advisory council are:

Dr Ngcebo Mbuli – Chairperson

Professor Hebron Ndlovu – Vice Chairperson

Dr Advocate Dlamini - Member

Ms Ncamsile Buthelezi – Member

Mr Philemon Gama – Member

Mr Makhosini Makhubu – Member

Chief Lodlakama Dlamini – Member

Mr Macusi Shongwe – Ex Officio Member

In his acceptance speech, Dr Mbuli, who is currently the CEO of Bible Soicety, acknowledged that the task bestowed upon them was huge and required all collaboration among different stakeholders. “Indeed we are servants. We do understand that the work we have to do is about that young person with hearing impairment who has done exceptional well in high school and find themselves at tertiary with no translation to sign language. It’s about every person with a disability but struggles to access essential services,” he said.