MBABANE: Sipho Dlamini, the President of the Federation of Organisations of the Disabled Persons in Swaziland(FODSWA) said as people living with disabilities, they hoped for a better life in the coming new democratic government.
Speaking to this Swaziland News audio channel when interviewed by editor Zweli Martin Dlamini, the FODSWA President said they welcomed the calls for democratic reforms or any changes in the political system that might improve their lives as citizens of this country.
“As the situation stands, people living with disabilities are struggling, some don’t have Identity Documents(IDs) including birth certificates and no one is working towards improving their lives. We are hoping that in a democratic system, marginalised people particularly those living with disabilities will be taken care-of”, said the FODSWA President.
On another note, Stukie Motsa, the founder of the Stukie Foundation, an organization that advocates for the welfare of people living with albinism said democracy means even people with albinism must be included in decision making processes even at community level and the society at large.
“Freedom for people with albinism and their rights to be treated with human dignity must start at home, community then it goes to national level. Even before we talk about Government, we expect the society to treat them like human beings at home and community level”, she said.
Eswatini is facing escalating calls for democratic reforms both inside and outside the Tinkhundla system of Governance. The country is not democratic, political parties are banned from participating in elections, the Prime Minister, Ministers, a majority of Senators and all members of the various Governing Councils are appointed by the King from his family members, close relatives and loyalists.
FODSWA President Sipho Dlamini