Prof Jonathan Moyo launches magazine for the blind

THE Constitution requires all citizens to treat people living with disabilities with dignity and respect, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has said.

Prof Moyo made the remarks last night when he officially launched Zimbabwe's first Braille and large print magazines for the visually impaired.

Padare reNhau - publishers of Parade Magazine in partnership with Dorothy Duncan Library and Rehabilitation Centre - introduced the two magazines to ensure that the visually impaired can read news.

The pilot project is an amalgamation of past editions of Parade, while in the future people who are visually-impaired will also contribute stories.

"Our new Constitution enjoins all of us to first and foremost treat those among us, our compatriots with disabilities, to treat them with respect and dignity," Prof Moyo said.

"This is now an obligation that we all have which is enshrined in the Constitution in general and in particular section 22 of our new Constitution.

"Secondly, that we all must do what we can, especially the Government, to make resources available to assist those with disabilities in order for them to realise their full potential as fellow citizens and that this is important for us as a constitutional obligation.

"Thirdly, that in various ways and today we see and celebrate one such way, we must do everything we can, especially with respect to employment programmes, employment creation which is an important commitment of the Government that when we create jobs, when we design employment programmes, we must do so in such a way as to ensure that these programmes also are consistent with the capabilities with those with disabilities.

"And producing a Braille version of Parade Magazine and a large print of that magazine is a clear example of meeting that obligation."

Prof Moyo said when employment opportunities were being created, it was important that they were consistent with the capabilities of those with disabilities, taking into account their specific requirements.

He said everyone must ensure that they created social forms of organisations, living and working environments that were friendly to people with disabilities, especially at public buildings and social amenities.

Prof Moyo bemoaned the polarisation that characterised the country in the past because of political differences.

"It is true that in the recent past of our country, we have appeared for reasons that are difficult to understand to be at each other's throats instead of being each other's keeper," he said.

"We have allowed a lot of artificial divisions of a political nature to define us, to define our everyday lives and realities.

"That has made it difficult for each and every one of us to unleash that spirit in every human being as a creature of God, the spirit of creativity, the spirit of oneness and we have been unable to discover the many opportunities that are before us."

Padare reNhau managing director Ms Rejoice Nharaunda bemoaned the media polarisation in the country.

"I believe that as media practitioners we have an urgent responsibility to turn things around," she said.

"A nation can not embark on any national agenda in the absence of effective indigenous media.

"Agendas of education, agendas of empowerment and agendas of progress cannot be implemented without our positive participation," said Ms Nharaunda.

She commended the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services for opening up the media landscape.