Zimbabwe: From silence to leadership: The inspiring journey of councillor Themba Siziba

In Lupane, Matshiya ward 15 hails Mr Themba Mathias Siziba, an elected Councillor who is disabled. He used to be shy of his condition until one day he met Mr Joshia Malinga who encouraged him to open up and stand for his rights. Mr Malinga was then the national president of the disabled association of Zimbabwe. Since that day Mr Siziba never looked back as he took a bold stance to independently and without fear or favour would champion the cause of people with disabilities in his community and other social spaces. He highlighted that for a very long time people living with disabilities had been excluded from development and decision-making processes. Councillor Siziba stated that “in the olden days People with Disabilities (PWDs) were routinely left out from participating in ward, VIDCO meetings, water point committees, and other decision-making structures.  Children with disabilities were kept at home instead of being sent to school, as families believed they should not mix with other learners.  

It was against such a sad and painful background that councillor Siziba courageously campaigned and entered into politics with a specific aim of representing everyone whether disabled or not and push for lasting developmental and empowering projects for the people of his ward and Lupani as a whole.  Exclusion motivated him to start coordinating engagement meetings throughout the ward. He started working with traditional leaders, NGOs, and some supportive individuals to raise awareness about disability rights. He would use community dialogues, social media advocacy, awareness campaigns, and policy education as platforms to change mindsets. He realised that traditional leaders played a critical role into influencing change through their subjects thus he used that strength to begin to publicly denounce discrimination. Villagers increasingly participated in the discussions, and that PWDs themselves started joining the advocacy efforts. 

Over time, Councillor Siziba now reflects on his journey and is still excited that a lot had happened were the disabled members are being recognised and appreciated. The Lupane community is now awash with praise as members are expressing that true change is visible were PWDs had gained confidence to stand for themselves. Other community members explained that the advocacy brought about by councillor Siziba brought great hope for survival to most PWDs feel included in development matters. Equal opportunities are now available, noted one community member, who never had imagined they could one day participate in committees. 

Persons with disabilities were now attending public meetings in large numbers, freely participating, and having their contributions recorded like other community members. Great change stories happening that more children with disabilities were now attending school, beginning from ECD through to university, and that parents had begun to understand that education was a right for all. PWDs were now accessing financial services, running income-generating projects, and taking part in nutrition gardens, dip tanks, and SDC committees in schools such as Somhlanga Primary. Families of PWDs were also experiencing a renewed sense of acceptance within the community. 

By: Themba Mathias Siziba