Umuntu Mutwe

Most persons with disabilities in Zambia continue to live in extreme poverty because the number of educated and uneducated individuals with disabilities is roughly equal. One of the primary reasons for the high number of uneducated persons with disabilities is the previous government's failure to advocate for their education, as well as the incompetence of Zambia's education system, particularly for the visually impaired. However, the current government has made significant strides in ensuring that persons with disabilities receive quality education. Despite this progress, poverty remains a pressing issue. I urge the government to consider increasing the Social Cash Transfer for persons with disabilities, which is currently insufficient due to the high cost of living in the country. The government has consistently emphasized its commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, and it is essential that they translate this rhetoric into tangible actions. As persons with disabilities comprise a minority group in Zambia, it is feasible for the government to provide each individual with a monthly stipend of at least 4000 Kwacha to enable them to cope with the country's harsh economic conditions.

THE URGENT CALL TO THE DISABILITY MOVEMENT IN ZAMBIA
By Chitalu T. Chipili
Introduction
Greetings to friends and colleagues within the disability community in Zambia and beyond. It is gratifying to witness the successful and smooth amendment of the Zambian Constitution. Despite the heated debates and disagreements during the enactment of Bill 7, it is worth acknowledging that the process has concluded without compromising the peace of our nation.
The Significance of Bill 7 and Mixed Member Proportional Representation
The Disability Movement throughout Zambia should celebrate the assenting to this bill by His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema. However, this is not a time for complacency. We must remain vigilant and proactive to ensure the benefits of this law are fully realized.
A primary motivation for the disability community’s support of Bill 7 was the introduction of Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR). This inclusion is long overdue. Had such a system been implemented earlier, perhaps the lives of persons with disabilities in Zambia would not be characterized by the extreme poverty and neglect seen today.
While Zambia’s first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, demonstrated an early commitment to inclusion by appointing individuals like Lazarus Tembo to key positions, these actions were not backed by law and were subject to personal discretion. President Hichilema has now formalized this commitment by enshrining MMPR into law, ensuring that persons with disabilities have a legal right to represent themselves in the National Assembly.
A Call for Selfless Leadership
To the leaders of organizations representing persons with disabilities, we must ask: what does this opportunity mean for us? This law must not be viewed as a mere chance for personal advancement or the accumulation of wealth. Instead, it demands selfless leadership and genuine representation.
We must look beyond ourselves to identify capable individuals who can effectively represent our interests in Parliament. This platform should be used to amplify our collective voice, defend our rights, and secure quality education and services for all persons with disabilities. If we prioritize self-interest, we will fail to make a lasting positive impact on our community.
Strategies for Implementation
To ensure our community benefits from this law, we must take the following steps:
* Identify Qualified Candidates: We must begin identifying leaders characterized by integrity, courage, and patriotism, rather than mere friendship.
* Engage Political Leaders: We must proactively engage politicians to ensure the correct implementation of the law and prevent any dilution of its intent.
* Advocate for Holistic Inclusion: Our advocacy should extend beyond the five seats specifically reserved for our membership. We must remind political parties that the quotas for women (20 seats) and youth (15 seats) must also include women and youth with disabilities.
Conclusion
As leaders, we must be proactive rather than reactive. By engaging political leaders now, we can help them identify the right representatives and ensure that fairness and justice prevail across all groupings. Let us work together to ensure that the beauty of this law translates into a better life for every person with a disability in Zambia.
God bless our great nation, Zambia.
About the Author
Chitalu T. Chipili is a Senior Lecturer at Mufulira College of Education, the CBID Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator, and the ZANFOB Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator.