The City of Victoria Falls hosted a three-day Zimbabwe National Disability Expo 2025 where President Mnangagwa launched various projects for people with disability under the Presidential Disability Scheme.
The expo was held from Wednesday until Friday when Vice President Kembo Mohadi represented President Mnangagwa at the official opening ceremony at Chinotimba Stadium.
Hundreds of people with disability and close to 400 exhibitors, drawn from Government Ministries, Departments, tertiary institutions, private sector and non-governmental organisations, attended the expo.
The theme for the expo was: “Accelerating disability inclusion now. A collective responsibility” which echoed the values of social inclusion, social justice and social participation.
As part of the Presidential Donation package, VP Mohadi, on behalf of President Mnangagwa, handed over housing stands allocated by the Victoria Falls City Council, to 15 people with disability.
He also handed over 20 tonnes of rice, 50 goats for the Presidential Goat Scheme, 50 pigs for the Presidential Piggery Project and 10 incubators for the Presidential Roadrunners Contract farming, Provincial Production Hubs and several assistive devices which will be distributed to all the ten provinces in the country.
In his speech, President Mnangagwa said persons with disabilities are human beings who have to be treated with utmost dignity and respect, with entitlement to all rights.
He said the people-centred Second Republic will continue to upscale the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national development.
“Guided by Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy phases 1 and 2, the National Disability Policy and the relevant legislation, my Government will always walk the talk and enhance the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in national development.
“As we all accelerate the attainment of Vision 2030 earlier than envisaged in 2028, let us endeavour to practically include disability across all the thematic sectors of the National Development Strategy. Disability cuts across all classes, gender, age groups, race and all geographic boundaries and is a key consideration for inclusion in all systems of government,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe recognises the rights of persons with disabilities in Sections 6, 22, and 83.
Government is working on a Disabilities Bill which is being finalised with the aim of addressing identified concerns and needs of persons with disabilities.
President Mnangagwa urged citizens to embrace a change of mind-set towards empowerment of persons with disabilities, moving away from the traditional charity model.
“There is need for social transformation and complete change of mindset from the charity model and personal tragedy model towards embracing the participatory and people-centred social model and human rights model of disability which are emancipatory and address all fundamental freedoms of our people.
“The Zimbabwe National Disability Expo, spearheaded by my Office, is a progressive opportunity to tap the inherent potentials in persons with disabilities and support them to be self-reliant and self-sufficient. Let us all shift our focus to production, productivity and prosperity for everyone,” he said.
The President said the Zimbabwe National Disability Expo is a platform for advocacy, collaboration, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities across all sectors of development.
He urged all stakeholders to focus on tangible practical measures that improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
The Second Republic is walking the talk and fulfilling all its promises on disability empowerment, through the National Development Strategy 1, where disability is a cross-cutting theme on all the 14 pillars and all the sectors of national development.
Persons with disabilities need accessible built environment, public transport systems and public premises which we must all promote to enhance disability inclusion.
They also need enabling resources like inclusive education, inclusive legislation, inclusive policies, inclusive human capital development and inclusive employment for their self-reliance and empowerment which Government and local authorities are providing.
The three-day expo, a platform for action and a reminder that disability issues should be central to programming, was characterised by various activities including speeches, entertainment, sport and other games by people with disabilities.
Last modified: July 10, 2025
