12 Dec 2022

People with disabilities have been urged to accept themselves as that would boost their confidence.

Speaking during commemoration of Disability Day in Selokolela recently, Mr Mothusi Selefo from Kanye Independent Living Centre advised the disabled to accept their conditions, noting they were capable.

He also urged Batswana to accept people with disabilities. 

He said the disabled had to be afforded opportunities such as employment, not because they were disabled but because they were deserving.

Mr Selefo highlighted that for disabled’s lives to be improved, stakeholders such as the private sector, individuals and the community had to be taken on board. 

“For our rights to be recognised, we have to lead from the forefront and the rest of the nation would follow,” he added.

All decisions regarding their circumstances, there was need for them to be part of decision making board since they were the ones who understood their challenges better.

“We should stand up for disabled’s rights and stop keeping them away from the public. Let us ensure that their challenges were addressed,” he said. 

He further urged government to put in place policies that would lead to improvement of the disabled’s lives.

For his part, Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) assistant council secretary, Mr Modisane Moletsane, said the day was meant to check progress made on addressing the challenges faced by the disabled and come up with strategies on how best to address others.

He highlighted that KAA had a committee focused on assisting the disabled, noting that they source funds from different organisations which would be used in addressing issues affecting disabled. 

Mr Moletsane assured attendees that the council would continue with efforts to improve the lives of the disabled.

He said 35 families had been identified to be given food hampers, which were donated by Giyani metals, adding the department of forestry also donated fruit trees.

Kgosi Koorapetse Legabala of Selokolela said failure to accept themeselves may lead people with disabilities to stress and illnesses. 

He said some did not benefit from government programmes, hence the need for all to come together and ensure they all benefitted.

“Government and other organisations have to be guided on how best to assist the disabled,” he said.

Mr Isaac Nkganetsang, motivational speaker from Botswana Society for People Living with Disabilities highlighted that being disabled affected how they lived amongst communities, noting that it was vital for them to trust themselves. “We should build relationships and eventually have families,” he said.

He highlighted the need for them to be persistent in life. 

“Let us stand up for our rights. no one should break our spirits. We have rights. Let us not just complain without going out there to fight for what we want,” he added. ENDS