By Staff Reporter
GWANDA — Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) is celebrating the graduation of one of its early beneficiaries, Nomathemba Mathe, who has attained an Honours Degree in Radio, Television and Multimedia Production from Midlands State University.
Mathe, who has clubfoot, was among the first young women to benefit from NFT’s Education Pillar, an initiative aimed at expanding educational opportunities for persons with disabilities and helping them achieve greater independence.
Her graduation marks a significant milestone for the organisation, providing a practical example of how targeted educational support can translate into tangible outcomes for young people with disabilities.
NFT Executive Director Dr Pick Nkomwa said Mathe’s achievement demonstrated the importance of investing in education as a tool for empowering persons with disabilities.
“Seeing Noma graduate brought me back to where her journey began. She was one of our early beneficiaries, and witnessing her reach this milestone is deeply fulfilling. I am genuinely happy and proud of her,” said Dr Nkomwa.
He said development interventions should go beyond providing assistance and instead create opportunities that enable beneficiaries to build sustainable futures.
“Interventions without results are meaningless. Our responsibility is not simply to provide support, but to create opportunities that enable persons with disabilities to take charge of their own lives and shape their own futures,” he said.
Mathe’s achievement comes against the backdrop of continued efforts to improve access to education and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, particularly young women who often face multiple barriers to participation and advancement.
NFT said education remains central to its empowerment efforts because it can open pathways to employment, economic independence, leadership and broader participation in society.
The organisation views Mathe’s graduation as more than an individual academic accomplishment, but also as an illustration of the potential of inclusive development programmes to produce lasting results.
Her journey also reinforces the argument that persons with disabilities should not be viewed solely as recipients of welfare and assistance, but as individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to their communities when provided with appropriate opportunities and supportive environments.
NFT said it would continue strengthening its education and empowerment programmes for young women and girls with disabilities while advocating for more inclusive systems.
For Mathe, the Honours Degree represents the culmination of years of determination and academic commitment, while for NFT, her graduation provides a visible measure of the impact of its investment in education and disability inclusion.
