Manzini – The Deputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla, has pledged to mainstream accessibility across all national policies, planning frameworks and public investments as it forges a new partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dladla said the collaboration marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to dismantle barriers that prevent many citizens, particularly persons with disabilities, from fully participating in national life.
“This ceremony signifies more than the transfer of vehicles; it is a shared commitment to remove mobility barriers and expand opportunities so that every Liswati may participate fully in national life,” she said.
Dladla said that accessible transport is central to advancing inclusion, social justice and equitable access to education, health and employment, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
She noted that despite ongoing national recommendations to address environmental and systemic challenges, many learners with disabilities remain excluded due to inaccessible transport, unsafe rural roads and limited training among transport personnel. These gaps, she added, continue to entrench inequalities and weaken efforts toward inclusive education.
“Addressing these transport and infrastructure gaps is therefore essential to realising inclusive education,” Dladla said.
The introduction of universally designed buses, she said, responds directly to a critical national need by ensuring reliable and accessible transport for priority routes. However, she cautioned that vehicle provision alone cannot resolve the broader challenges.
“Buses alone will not suffice. We therefore commit to mainstreaming accessibility across policy, planning and public investment, and we call upon all stakeholders to make universal design the standard in every transport and infrastructure decision, she said in her remarks, underscoring government’s wider and long-term commitment to the initiative.
Dladla further reaffirmed that persons with disabilities must remain at the centre of decision-making processes, emphasising the importance of their lived experiences in shaping effective and dignified solutions.
“The voices of persons with disabilities must guide our efforts, in the spirit of the principle ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’,” she said.
Dladla extended sincere appreciation to JICA and the people of Japan for their continued partnership, expressing confidence that the agreement marks the beginning of sustained national action.
She said the initiative will not only improve mobility but also expand access and opportunity for every Liswati, strengthening Eswatini’s path toward a more inclusive and equitable society.
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