16 Mar 2015

Batswana with severe disabilities will soon be paid a disability allowance.

Government took the decision to pay such people as part of its broader programme of welfare reforms and core priority of bringing dignity to its citizens. The initiative which has been allocated P20 million will be implemented in the 2015/2016 financial year.

“This is the biggest achievement given it is an important service to be provided to those concerned. It will be rolled out in the next five years,” says chief disability officer in the Coordinating Office for People with Disability, Mr Hamilton Mogatusi

An elated Mr Mogatusi commends his office for the tireless effort in formulating strategies and programmes to empower people with disabilities (PWDs).  He says safety net will be means tested, that is, an assessment will be conducted to determine eligibility to receive the allowance.

In his recent budget proposals to Parliament, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo, allocated the third largest share of the budget to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development at P5.20 billion. 

The budget will cover, amongst others, social protection programmes comprising the allowance for PWDs. Disability coordinator, Mr Thomas Motingwa, shared the same sentiments, pointing out that their aim and motto is that there is ability in disability. 

He says introduction of an allowance is not meant to mollify recipients or entertain the spirit of dependency but in a way encourage PWDs to be independent and develop survival skills. Mr Motingwa says he wants to see PWDs as entrepreneurial as everyone else. 

He adds that they have also established the Sir Seretse Khama Fund to which PWDs can apply and ask for assistive devices with the whole purpose of encouraging independent living. Mr Motingwa further explains that the review of the National Policy on Care of PWDs is still at finalisation stage. 

The policy is premised on the Convention on the Rights of PWDs. It will guide implementation of disability services in Botswana including access to education, development of sport and sporting facilities for the disabled, affirmative action, employment and general economic empowerment of PWDs. 

Meanwhile, the National Coordination Office for the PWDs was established through a Permanent Secretary President Directive and opened its doors to the public in 2010. Part of its functions is to ensure that disability issues are mainstreamed into sectoral policies and programmes. 

“When we started our office, we were inundated with people who wanted economic empowerment opportunities.  That was the first challenge we encountered and as we speak it still remains a nagging challenge as PWDs want to be involved. 

They want to be seen having an uptake of government policies of economic empowerment,” reckons Mr Motingwa. Mr Motingwa applauds the fruitful partnership forged with the private sector. 

He says they have mutual agreements with employment agencies such as retail chain stores.  “Choppies is one of the chain stores that came to our rescue and employed a considerable number of PWDs. 

We also have diamond sorting and polishing companies such as Shrenuj Botswana.  Over half of their employees are PWDs especially those with hearing impairment.  The hospitality industry has also come on board,” says Mr Motingwa.

He reckons that in a bid to empower PWDs, his office started what is known as sheltered employment project where beneficiaries can come together within a certain community and establish a project to generate income.  The office solicited support from the private sector in helping to set up boreholes in Ramotswa, Tloaneng and Mogobane. 

When BOPA visited the Ramotswa SESAD Gardens, project coordinator, Mr Fish Moilwa, said initially when they submitted proposals to establish the project they wanted a multipurpose facility. The proposed facility was to have rehabilitation and stimulation units so as to cater for different disabilities. 

Ramotswa District Health management team nursing superintendent, Ms Agnes Nfila, describes the relationship they have with PWDs in their area as cordial. She explains that income generated from the envisaged multipurpose facility will be used to further develop the project and identify other PWDs who might benefit handsomely from the initiative. ENDS