By Thokozani Mazibuko<\/p>\n
In a progressive move to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, the Deputy Prime
\nMinister\u2019s Office has acquired two customized Toyota Quantums worth more than E1.5
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
The vehicles, designed with folding ramps and spacious interiors, are aimed at easing
\nmobility for wheelchair users and others with physical impairments.<\/p>\n
The newly acquired Quantums were put to practical use during this year\u2019s Umhlanga
\nCeremony, where they transported maidens with disabilities to and from the festivities. Officials
\nfrom the DPM\u2019s Office hailed the development as a milestone in ensuring that cultural and
\nnational events are inclusive.<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla said the purchase reflects government\u2019s growing
\ncommitment to empowering and supporting the disability community. \u201cAccessibility is a right,
\nnot a privilege. These vehicles will go a long way in ensuring that persons with disabilities can
\nparticipate fully in national events and in everyday activities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The DPM further revealed that the initiative will soon be expanded. \u201cWe are excited to announce
\nthat two additional specialized vehicles are expected from a special donor. This generous
\ncontribution will further strengthen our capacity to support persons with disabilities across the
\ncountry,\u201d Dladla added.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/genesisekucalenimedia.com\/edn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PAGE-3-DPM-Thulisile-Dladla-speaking-during-the-assessment.jpg\")
\nDisability rights activists have welcomed the move, noting that transport remains one of the
\ngreatest barriers faced by persons with disabilities in Eswatini. \u201cFor years, people with
\ndisabilities have struggled with exclusion due to inaccessible public transport. This is a step in
\nthe right direction, and we hope to see more of these vehicles in rural areas too,\u201d said one
\nadvocate, who preferred to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
The DPM\u2019s Office has pledged to continue working with stakeholders to ensure that persons
\nwith disabilities are not left behind in the kingdom\u2019s social and cultural life. Beyond cultural
\nceremonies, the vehicles are expected to be deployed for community programs, medical
\ntransport, and other initiatives that require specialized mobility solutions.<\/p>\n
Observers have described the development as a concrete demonstration of government\u2019s
\ncommitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
\nwhich Eswatini ratified in 2012.<\/p>\n
With two more vehicles on the way, the disability community is optimistic that such initiatives
\nwill gradually transform accessibility across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Thokozani Mazibuko In a progressive move to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, the Deputy Prime Minister\u2019s…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,25],"tags":[46,65,55,73,49,58],"class_list":["post-3275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-future","category-national","tag-africa","tag-analysis","tag-business","tag-eswatini","tag-human-interest","tag-national","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"\n