Staff Reporter
Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) has been honoured as an Outstanding Champion in Inclusive Education and Diversity at the Academic Excellence Awards convened by the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network in Harare on Friday.
The recognition celebrates NFT’s continued work to promote inclusive education, disability rights and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, particularly children and young people in underserved communities.
As a disability-led community-based organisation, NFT has placed inclusion at the centre of its programming, supporting learners with disabilities through educational assistance, advocacy, community sensitisation, skills development and partnerships aimed at removing barriers to participation.
Receiving the award on behalf of the organisation, NFT Executive Director Dr Pick Nkomwa said the recognition belonged not only to the organisation but also to the communities, partners, beneficiaries and supporters who continue to contribute to the inclusion agenda.
“This award is a reminder that inclusion is not a favour—it is a responsibility. We are deeply humbled by this recognition, but our work does not end here. There are still many barriers standing between persons with disabilities and their full participation in society.”
Dr Nkomwa further acknowledged the importance of collaboration in advancing disability inclusion, noting that sustainable change requires government, civil society, communities, private-sector actors and development partners to work together.
NFT has increasingly pursued partnerships with local authorities, Government agencies and other organisations to mainstream disability inclusion across education, health, livelihoods, food security, child protection and community development.
The award comes as NFT continues to advocate for an inclusive society in which persons with disabilities are recognised not as passive recipients of assistance, but as rights-holders, contributors and agents of their own development.
The organisation says the recognition strengthens its resolve to continue challenging exclusion and expanding opportunities for children, youth and families with disabilities.
