THIS is a very difficult time in the history of this great country as we mourn the great son of this land his Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. I can only say that he has finished his race and as Zambians, there is a lot to learn from his leadership style which is irreplaceable.
It was a privilege for me to work with him so closely when he was National Secretary for the MMD and I was an official in Chilanga constituency.
I, therefore, call upon all, to mourn our late President in dignity and to remain united.
Friday 31st October 2014 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre will forever remain a special day and month for me when a 21st Century movement of Christian Colleges and Universities, the International Colleges of Fellows appointed me as Associate Professor in recognition of my humble contribution to advocacy and promotion of rights of the disabled both locally and internationally.
The university also recognised the publications on disability rights, rehabilitation, promotion of sheltered employment for the disabled and promotion of social integration with the view to create a better society for all.
I have dedicated this achievement to women with disabilities and their children and my hope and prayer is that this will encourage my brothers and sister who are children of the disabled that if I have archived this, they can equally do it. I know what we go through as children of the disabled parent within communities and families in terms of been isolated and discriminated against but this should encourage you guys to do more.
The fight for the rights of persons with disabilities demands concerted efforts by all and on this special day I was privileged to graduate on the same day with great men who have done so much in uplifting the welfare of the disabled people and they have committed their lives to serve the poor.
I graduated with Dr Gaudenzio Masimino the chairperson for Cheshire Homes Society Zambia and President of Cheshire Homes Southern Africa. ICOF Colleges Seminary and Universities which run Centre for Disability Development Research Law and Policy (CDDRLP honoured Dr Rossi with a Doctorate Degree in Disability Management and Development in recognition of his contribution to the welfare of disabled people around the world.
Accepting this humbling honour, Dr Ross said helping the poor should come first if we are change lives of the needy people within our communities and families.
This was a great and special day because Miyoba Hamuhuma, the national executive director for Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work after studying for four years as a distance learning student.
Mr Miyoba is my young brother and I was happy to graduate with him. This young man is very competent despite him being a wheel chair user and under his leadership; a good number of developments are taking place at Cheshire Homes Zambia proving that disability is not inability.
I commend the National Council for Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia for appointing him as executive director, for me and our friends in the disability movement, we are very proud of his works.

It brings joy in my life to seeing disabled people being appointed to high positions in Government like we now have a permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Patricia Jere and also at Food Reserve Agency (FRA) we have Chola Alex Kafwabulula as executive director appointed by the board based on performance and qualifications.
Mr Kafwabulula has done a lot in the disability movement at home and abroad and I have mentioned these two because I know them and they should be used as a practical example of the ability disabled people have which should be used as positive measure of ability to work and prove that they can do it if given the opportunity.
For me, my happiest moment will be when a person with a disability from the movement will be appointed minister.
This will be a huge motivation to the disabled people in Zambia and by this, I mean people like Frank Musukwa,Chola Kafwabulula,Miyoba Hamuhuma,Felix Mutale,Serah Brotherton, Keshi Chisambi,Elijah Ngware,Felix Simulunga,Lango Sinkamba,Felix Silwimba and many others from the movement.
ICOF Colleges Seminary and Universities also recognised the leadership Frank Musukwa a disability rights activist has provided to the Zambia Deaf Youth and Women with his strong views on inclusive education for all. The university awarded him with a certificate in leadership development.
Let me recommit myself that this column will continue to bring real issues affecting persons with disabilities beyond borders and boundaries.
In 2014 the United Nations international day of Disabled persons theme was “Nothing about us, without us and to observe this important day the world focused on active involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning of strategies and policies that affect their lives.
The motto “Nothing about Us, without Us” relies on this principle of self participation. Mr Musukwa said to achieve the full participation and equalisation of opportunities for, by and with persons with disabilities would only come by through self participation in political governance of this great country.
In accepting this honour, Mr Musukwa said preaching about a society for all was the only way to address challenges of an inclusive Zambia better for persons with disabilities.
Persons with disabilities should be allowed to participate in the developmental agenda, political, social and economic sectors as compared to Dr Kaunda’s era and neighbouring countries in the region.
Several administrations have overlooked the principle that disability is not incapability even if our society seems to believe that disabled people are a burden to society and themselves.
Mr Musukwa also mourned the passing of President Michael Chilufya Sata.
Mr Sata demonstrated political leadership toward us persons with disabilities immediately he assured power in 2011 by repealing the Disability Act number 33 of 1996 and partial domestication of United Nation Convention on the rights of us persons with disabilities.
It is our hope that the next President will do more to empower persons with disabilities and create a disability advisory desk at State House and stand alone Ministry of Disability.
It is also hoped that in future God will allow one of our own to be the President of Zambia.
The author is Associate professor for the Faculty of Social Science and Disability Studies of ICOF Colleges, Seminary and Universitieswww.icofusa.net , Disability policy Analyst for SADC and Inclusive Development Advisor at the Centre for Disability Development Research, Law and Policy in South Africa
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