Africa-Press – Eswatini. The African Union for the Blind (AFOBE) has officially launched its new initiative, Collective Action for the Disability Rights, aimed at educating and empowering visually impaired individuals in Eswatini.
The launch took place at the Manzini National Library on December 15, 2025.
The programme is designed to equip blind individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to create jobs, understand their rights, and improve their health and well-being. Beneficiaries will also receive start-up packs to help them begin their own business ventures.
“This project will help strengthen the lives of visually impaired people by teaching them how they can create jobs and take care of their health,” said Nondumiso Shongwe, Project Manager for the programme.
The Initiative will also strengthen the Swazi Association of the Visually Impaired, helping it meet global standards for organizations supporting blind people. Shongwe noted that the programme will not only focus on business skills but also on advocacy and rights awareness.
Lucas Amoda, AFOBE Programme Officer, emphasized the organisation’s commitment to disability rights. “AFOBE has been operating since 1987 with multiple projects across Africa. This year, we are introducing Collective Action for the Disability Rights to help our sister organisations develop the capacity to run their own initiatives and advocate for their rights effectively,” he said.
Amoda further highlighted the challenges people living with disabilities face daily. “Many are not understood by society. Access to information and employment is limited. Even if you have a degree or qualifications, people with disabilities are often not a priority. We are fighting for equality – human, social, political, economic, and civil – so that people with disabilities can enjoy the same rights as others,” he said.
The programme will run until 2027, offering a crucial platform for the visually impaired in Eswatini to gain knowledge, advocate for their rights, and build pathways toward self-sufficiency.
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