ALTHOUGH she lives with disability, Vimbai Mbeda draws portraits and paints
different pictures, even designs posters or anytime cards.
She lives with a hearing disability and uses Sign Language to communicate and get
around.
Her craft takes a lot of imagination and creativity and she has to be witty to come up
with her mind-capturing drawings and paintings that earn her a living.
Like all humans, but devoid of an ability of hearing and speech, Mbeda found ways
to express herself through visual art painting and she stands high on her ground.
Her paintings are important because she expresses her ideas and emotions and
offer her the space to meet different people while it takes her to too many places.
Her stall at Gwandas Phelandaba Stadium was a good attraction and she made
many new contacts, some who have challenged her to be more creative in her craft.
Courtesy of the three-day National Disability Expo held in Gwanda last week, Mbeda
was able to, like dozens of her other colleagues, meet the world and many different
artists from across Zimbabwe.
I have many orders now, some will have to wait for a month before I can supply
them. I have networked, met people from new markets and their different tastes
demand creativity but its game on for me," said Mbeda.
This expo has shown me many good directions to follow in my business. I have also
been exposed to new methods of doing business," she smiled as she rushed to get
another order from a customer.
Themed Holistic Empowerment of Youth and Children with Disabilities Towards the
attainment of vision 2030 -A better and brighter future for everyone the three-day
National Disability Expo which drew People Living with Disabilities from around
Zimbabwe was held in Gwanda.
It was the first time Matabeleland South Province hosted the expo, whose aim was to
create synergies among participants and those coming to view.
The expo hosted at Gwandas Phelandaba Stadium was the place to be and at the
time of going to the print, President Mnangagwa was expected to officially open the
event already which filled the venue to capacity.
On show were a variety of products ranging from, paintings, music and poetic skills
among other products.
In his welcome remarks, Matabeleland South Minister for Provincial Affairs and
Devolution, Abedinico Ncube, said hosting the event was a milestone for Gwanda.
As a province we feel honoured to host the 11th edition of the National Disability
Expo. The three busy days resonate our inclusive nature as the rainbow province
and a nation. This expo will give trade-links and empower People Living with
Disabilities, said Ncube.
Special Advisor on National Disability Issues in the Office of the President and
Cabinet, Dr Joshua Malinga, said the expo was a reflection of a prosperous
economy to be attained by 2030.
"This expo dovetails the Governments mantra of leaving no one and no place
behind. We are the cornerstone of socio-economic development. The Second
Republic recognises the concept of disability is not inability. We are privileged about
that. The youths are the future bearers of this country hence there is need of holistic
empowerment, he said.
A Gwanda retailer said the Expo brought a lot of movement in the town, which is
good for business.
Where people gather there is a lot of movement and that is a perfect environment
for business. We have been kept on our feet. We have had good trading days," said
the businessman.
Fruit and water vendors made brisk business while the taxi industry was quick.
Every trader in Gwanda got good trading, he said.
Among the dignitaries was Matabeleland South Permanent Secretary for Provincial
Affairs and Devolution, Latiso Dlamini-Maseko, Provincial Chairperson of Association
of PWDs, Andile Ngwenya, senior Government officials and hundreds of PWDs
drawn from across the country came to showcase their God-given talent.
