23 Oct 2023

Batswana, government and different organisations have been urged to ensure that people living with disabilities were included in the mainstream economy.

As such, it was vital for all to ensure that their rights were being realised.

Botswana Council for Disabled (BCD) executive director, Mr Moffat Louis said this during a sponsored walk organised by Kenny Arts to raise funds and sensitise the public about issues concerning those living with disabilities on Wednesday in Kanye.

He thanked the government for coming up with the Disability Act, noting that upon being finalised, it would improve the lives of those living with disabilities.

“The Disability Act would ensure all the sectors catered for the disabled. For example, public transport would have to ensure that the disabled accessed their services at ease or they would not be given permits to operate,” he added.

He thanked Kenny Arts for the support, further urging the general public to also play their part.

Mr Kenny Ketshotseng of Kenny Arts explained that he had long had a dream of assisting people with disabilities, hence the sponsored walk to raise funds and sensitise the public about issues concerning the disabled.

He said people living with disabilities had different talents, hence the need to be included in the mainstream economy.

Mr Ketshotseng said since he was an artist, he intended to utilise his craft to assist and mentor those with art talent and help them to market and sell their work.

“Turnstar Holdings had offered us a space to display and sell our art and craft and the plan is for the disabled to also use the platform. From my sales I would be donating 10 per cent to BCD to assist them in carrying out their daily activities,” he added.

For her part, BCD representative, Ms Agisanyang Pitsane highlighted that they needed more resources for their daily activities to better the lives of those living with disabilities, therefore thanked Kenny Arts for their assistance and urged others to also assist in any way possible.

She said the disabled were faced with many challenges and for such to be successfully addressed, the whole nation had to play their part.

Ms Pitsane advised those with disabilities possessing art skills to visit their offices so that they could link them with Kenny Arts and be able to exhibit and eventually sell their work.

The walk started in Jwaneng on October 17 and ended in Gaborone on October 21, having passed through villages such as Moshupa and Thamaga as well as visiting their kgotlas. ENDS