BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE (INTERN)
MBABANE– The Kingdom of Eswatini has recorded strong multi sector backing for the Persons with Disabilities Trolley Dash Competition, an initiative championed by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Thulisile Dladla and officially launched at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO).
The programme, set to be hosted at Pick n Pay stores nationwide, is designed to promote inclusion, dignity, and active participation of persons with disabilities in economic and retail spaces. It will allow participants to engage in a supervised shopping experience, competing for groceries worth E2 000.00 while showcasing independence and capability.
A total of E21 000.00 has now been mobilised in support of the initiative, reflecting growing national commitment to disability inclusion. Contributions include HRH Prince Lonkhokhela (E1 500.00), the Deputy Prime Minister (E3 500.00), Minister of Health (E2 000.00), Minister of Finance (E4 000.00), Minister of Agriculture (E2 000.00), Minister of Commerce (E2 000.00), Pick n Pay Eswatini (E3 000.00), and other contributions amounting to E3 000.00.
Officials say the collective support demonstrates a rare unity between government leadership, the monarchy, and the private sector, all aligning behind disability inclusion as a national priority. The initiative is also aligned with the National Disability Plan of Action, which promotes accessibility, awareness, and equal participation across all sectors.
Beyond the competition, the Trolley Dash is being positioned as a powerful advocacy platform aimed at challenging stereotypes and transforming retail environments into more inclusive spaces. Stakeholders emphasize that inclusion must be experienced in practice, not just written in policy documents.
As momentum grows, the initiative continues to stand out as one of Eswatini’s most visible disability inclusion programmes, reinforcing the message that persons with disabilities are active contributors to national development when given equal opportunity.
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