Disabled Namibian’s must not exclude themselves

The Deputy Minister of Finance, Natangwe Ithete, has called upon disabled people in Namibia to involve themselves in all government activities, to help build up the country. Ithete made these remarks at the Commemoration of the International White Cane day, held at Swakopmund yesterday [19 October].
The commemoration formed part of the African Union of the Blind Southern Regional Conference, which was hosted by the Office of the Governor in collaboration with the Namibian Federation of the Visually Impaired (NFVI). The conference was held from 16 to 18 October.The International White Cane Day was celebrated yesterday started off with a march ending at the Vineta Sport Fields, where various speeches were delivered and cultural activities held.”In my definition you (people living with disabilities) are able, just in a different way”, explained Ithete. Ithete was speaking on behalf of the deputy minister responsible for disability affairs in the Presidency, Alexia Manombe-Ncube [MP].”You (disabled persons) should never regard yourselves as unable people. You are all able”, Ithete continued. He called on all disabled people to not exclude themselves from Government decisions, as they are equal to every Namibian.
“You have equal rights and it is about time that you get into all structures of our country. Stop excluding yourselves, as Government is ready to support all of you”, he added. “We also need your assistance, we need your ideas to move this country forward.”Speaking at the event the Secretary General of the Swapo Party Youth League, Efraim Nekongo, expressed his concern about visually impaired persons “not advocating our issues.” “There are a lot of challenges facing ourselves, but I don’t see colleagues advocating for that (sic)”, he said.
He too called on visually impaired citizens to include themselves in all activities. “I don’t like people isolating people.”