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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: ZIMBABWE DISABILITY OLYMPICS (TVR)
HEADLINE: Zimbabwean With Cerebral Palsy Eyeing Special Olympics
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 02/07/2023 at 8:50am
BYLINE: Columbus Mavhunga
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Harare, Zimbabwe
VIDEOGRAPHER: Blessing Chigwenhembe
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Penny Dixon
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE: VOA Original,
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:07
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[A 22-year-old Zimbabwean with cerebral palsy is hoping to compete in the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary from February 27th to March 2nd. Meanwhile, groups that advocate for disabled people's rights are hoping to turn government policy into law. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare, Zimbabwe.]]
((NARRATOR))
In Mufakose township in Harare, Zimbabwe, Tapiwanashe Prince Mutsikira spends his time running and training students at his former school, some of whom have disabilities.
Mutsikira – a 22-year-old runner with cerebral palsy – hopes his hard work will help him qualify to represent Zimbabwe in track competitions at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary from February 27 to March 2.
[[radio: He says he would be excited to get a chance to compete at the Olympics. He tells his colleagues that they can do the same, that with their disabilities, they can also compete, and that they should not look down on themselves.]]
((Tapiwanashe Prince Mutsikira, Special Olympics Hopeful)) ((Shona 30 seconds))
“If I get the opportunity to go compete at the Olympics, it will really be exciting. I tell my colleagues that they can do the same, that with their disabilities, they can also compete. Do not look down on yourselves.”
((NARRATOR))
He maintains a positive outlook despite having cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
His grandmother Tambudzai Ruzvidzo Nyariri, who began caring for Mutsikira when he was three, says at one point she could not imagine her grandson training and competing like this.
[[radio: She says the family has since learned that her grandson does a lot of stuff, and they thank God for his positive attitude toward life. He is only 22 and is training other children living with disabilities. It's unbelievable.]]
((Tambudzai Ruzvidzo Nyariri, Grandmother of Athlete)) ((Shona 30 seconds))
“We have since learned that Tapiwa now does a lot of stuff. We never assumed that he would be like that. We thank God for that – for Tapiwa’s positive attitude. He is just 22 years old and is now training other children living with disabilities. It’s unbelievable.”
((NARRATOR))
Zimbabwe statistics say that of its population of 16 million people, more than 1.4 million have a disability.
Now, organizations of people with disabilities in Zimbabwe are pushing for the passage of legislation that would make law some recommendations based on the government’s disability policy.
Advocates say the current law, the Disabled Persons' Act of 1992, is falling short.
((For Radio: Peter Bare heads Sightsavers, an advocacy group for disabled people.]]
((Peter Bare, Sightsavers Zimbabwe Director (male, English)) ((Eng. 24 seconds))
“If the bill is passed into law, it means so many other services they are not accessing at the moment will be accessible. // At the moment, the current Act is outdated.”
((NARRATOR))
Zimbabwe’s policy says disabled people should have equal rights to employment, education, and health, among other things.
Government officials say some provisions of the National Disability Policy are being implemented.
[[FOR RADIO: Christine Peta is Director of Disability Affairs in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.]]
((Christine Peta, Zimbabwe Director of Disability Affairs)) ((Eng. 40 sec))
“The government of Zimbabwe now has set up a national technical committee on disability inclusion. This committee has representatives of all the 26 government ministries/// it has representatives from organizations for persons with disabilities and our development partners as well.”
((NARRATOR))
Meanwhile, Mutsikira says he will keep pushing ahead and encouraging other persons with disabilities to do the same.
((Columbus Mavhunga, VOA News, Harare, Zimbabwe))
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