BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MATSAPHA– The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has launched Eswatini’s first Disability Trolley Dash, an initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the challenges that persons living with disabilities face while shopping in retail stores.
The first Disability Trolley Dash was launched at Mashayitafula Pick & Pay Supermarket, where Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, Cabinet ministers, stakeholders, Pick n Pay representatives and beneficiaries participated in the initiative. The programme gave persons with different disabilities an opportunity to shop and also share their experiences, enabling government officials and retail staff to better understand their needs and identify ways to improve accessibility and support in retail stores.
Speaking during the launch, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla said the Disability Trolley Dash is introduced to gain a better understanding of the daily challenges experienced by persons with disabilities in retail environments. She said government wanted to hear directly from beneficiaries and observe first-hand the obstacles they face so that practical and lasting solutions could be implemented.
Dladla said the initiative is part of government’s commitment to promoting dignity, inclusion and equal access to essential services for all citizens. She noted that discussions were already underway on introducing dedicated assistants in retail stores who would help shoppers living with disabilities whenever they needed support. She explained that while infrastructure improvements remain important, customer service also plays a critical role in ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy a convenient and independent shopping experience.
Pick n Pay representative Mario Fernandez welcomed the initiative and commended the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for introducing the Disability Trolley Dash. He described it as a meaningful step towards creating a more inclusive society and strengthening partnerships between government and the private sector. Fernandez also highlighted Pick n Pay’s commitment to inclusion, noting that the supermarket has already employed people living with disabilities as part of its efforts to promote equal employment opportunities and create a diverse workplace.
Nelisiwe Sibiya, who is living with albinism expressed gratitude for being included in the programme. She said the initiative had given people with disabilities a platform to share their experiences and advocate for improvements that would make shopping easier. Sibiya said one of the major challenges faced by people living with albinism is reading product price tags because many experience visual impairments. She explained that the small print on shelves often makes it difficult to identify prices without assistance, limiting their ability to shop independently. Among the beneficiaries was Sibongile Khumalo, whose groceries amounted to E2 425 during the Disability Trolley Dash.
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