By: Nkosiyabusa Nsibande
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has launched the Persons with Disabilities Trolley Dash Competition, a partnership with Pick n Pay Eswatini that seeks to promote disability inclusion while drawing attention to the barriers many people with disabilities continue to face in commercial and retail environments.
While presented as a public awareness initiative, the program carries broader economic significance. It reflects a growing recognition that persons with disabilities are not merely beneficiaries of social welfare programs but active participants in the economy as consumers, entrepreneurs, employees, professionals, and business owners.
According to the concept note issued by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Disability Unit, the initiative was developed to promote inclusion within the retail sector while showcasing the capabilities, independence, and resilience of persons with disabilities. The program also seeks to encourage businesses to examine how accessible their services, facilities, and customer experiences are for people living with disabilities.
“The Persons with Disabilities Trolley Dash Competition has been developed as a disability awareness and advocacy initiative aimed at promoting inclusion within the retail sector while showcasing the capabilities, independence, and resilience of individuals with disabilities,” the concept note states.
The initiative comes when policymakers and development institutions are increasingly highlighting the economic cost of exclusion. Limited accessibility in retail spaces, workplaces, and public facilities can reduce participation in economic activity, restrict consumer spending opportunities, and limit access to employment and entrepreneurship for people living with disabilities.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office argues that despite progress in advancing disability rights, many individuals continue to face obstacles related to mobility, communication, accessibility, and participation in promotional activities offered by businesses. These barriers, while often overlooked, can have direct economic consequences by reducing the ability of affected individuals to engage fully in the marketplace.
Beyond raising awareness, the program aligns with the objectives of Eswatini’s National Disability Plan of Action, particularly in areas related to advocacy, public sensitization, and the promotion of disability rights. The initiative is designed to challenge stereotypes that continue to shape public perceptions and to encourage businesses to adopt more inclusive practices.
Importantly, the program positions disability inclusion as a business issue rather than solely a social concern. Retailers that invest in accessible infrastructure, inclusive customer service, and disability-friendly environments stand to reach a broader consumer base while strengthening their corporate reputation. The partnership with Pick n Pay demonstrates how private sector organizations can contribute to national development goals while enhancing customer accessibility.
A central message of the competition is that disability should not be equated with inability. The concept note emphasizes that people with disabilities possess skills, knowledge, and talents that enable them to contribute meaningfully to their families, workplaces, and the national economy.
“A key objective of the competition is to demonstrate that disability does not equate to inability,” the document states. “Persons with disabilities possess diverse talents, skills, knowledge, and capabilities that enable them to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, workplaces, and the national economy.”
The competition will involve registered participants independently navigating a retail environment during the sponsored trolley dash, highlighting their ability to participate fully as consumers. Organizers say the event will also serve as a platform for broader discussions about accessibility, inclusive customer service, and economic participation.
From a development perspective, the initiative signals a shift toward viewing disability inclusion as an economic growth issue. Greater participation by individuals with disabilities in commerce expands the consumer market, strengthens labor force participation, and supports broader national objectives of inclusive growth. For businesses, the program offers a reminder that accessibility is increasingly becoming a competitive and commercial consideration rather than simply a compliance requirement.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office expects the initiative to contribute to increased public awareness, stronger partnerships between government and business, improved accessibility standards and greater participation by persons with disabilities in social and economic activities. If replicated across other sectors, the approach could help create a more inclusive business environment while unlocking economic opportunities for a segment of the population whose contribution we often underestimate.
Ultimately, the success of the initiative will not be measured solely by exciting the trolley dash itself but by whether it encourages businesses across Eswatini to rethink accessibility and recognize persons with disabilities as an important part of the country’s economic future.
