Staff reporter

His Excellency, President and ZANU PF First Secretary Cde E. D Mnangagwa has assured people living with disabilities that they will be prioritised in all Government programmes, starting with Pfumvudza and the Presidential input schemes.

The President also announced that Cabinet would soon be considering creating a specific window for financial support specifically targeting people living with disability.

President Mnagagwa said this whilst officially launching the National Disability Expo 2021 in Gweru on Wednesday.

This is part of the Second Republic inclusive development agenda that seeks to leave no one and no place behind.

This expo follows President Mnangagwa’s launch of the National Disability Policy in June this year. The policy seeks to address the marginalisation and discrimination of persons living with disabilities, empower them to improve their own quality of life and enable them to contribute towards the national development agenda. 

President Mnangagwa also made a clarion call for people to stop treating people living with disabilities as a charitable cases, but rather treat them as equals who are capable of productively participating in the building of Zimbabwe. 

President Mnangagwa said, “the Second Republic leaves no one behind. We are charging toward Vision 2030 and we shall look at every facet of our society. People with disabilities shall be prioritised in Government programmes including Pfumvudza and Presidential input schemes. 

“I will discuss with my Cabinet so that we can create a specific window for financial support, because the work you are doing as a people leaving with disabilities needs funding. I believe if we come up with this fund, you will excel further.”