COVID-19: Manzini Council’s Bus Rank Efforts Highly Appreciated – FODSWA
People with disability are appreciative of the effort that has been put forward by the Municipal
Council of Manzini at the main bus rank as a means to suppress the spread of the novel Covid-19.
President of the Federation of Organisations of the Disabled in Eswatini (FODSWA), Sipho Dlamini,
contacted the Municipality to express their appreciation. According to Dlamini, people with disability form part of the highly vulnerable members of society to the Coronavirus that is sweeping across the globe.
“People with visual impairment, for example, largely use the sense of touch to get by. That on its
own puts them at high risk. Therefore, the good gesture by the Municipality to disinfect the bus rank
is highly commended”, said the President.
As part of its action plan towards assisting the national Government flatten the Covid-19 curve, the
Municipality last Friday engaged in a massive fumigation exercise of the Manzini main bus rank
against the virus. In her remarks, the Municipality’s Chief Executive Officer, Lungile Dlamini,
mentioned that this was not just a once off exercise but would be done regularly. She further
explained that other high density areas of the city would also be disinfected going forward.
Dlamini (FODSWA President) also applauded the Municipality for providing running water and soap
at the Manzini bus rank for use by members of the public to regularly wash their hands free of
charge.
“That is another indicator that the Municipality sincerely cares about citizens of Manzini. The World
Health Organisation and our country’s Ministry of Health have emphasised the importance of
washing hands regularly using running water and soap as a way of curtailing the spread of the virus. I
would like to urge people with disability to make use of the facility that has been provided whenever
they find themselves pressed to visit the city. That will protect them from the virus,” he said. As soon as His Excellency the Prime Minister Mandvulo Dlamini declared the novel Covid-19 a national emergency, the Municipal Council of Manzini sprang to action, installed a water tank and hand wash basin at the main bus rank and made a provision for members of the public to regularly wash their hands with soap and water free of charge.
Over and above that, in collaboration with Business Eswatini and Matsapha-based logistics company, Southern Star Logistics, a daily information desk is available at the bus terminus for purposes of empowering citizens with
information on how they could protect themselves from the virus.
FODSWA ADVISES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY TO TAKE COVID-19 SERIOUSLY
President of the Federation of Organisations of the Disabled in Eswatini (FODSWA), Sipho Dlamini,
has called on all persons with disability to heed the pieces of advice that are being shared by the
World Health Organisation and Eswatini National Government towards protecting oneself from the
claws of Covid-19.
“The visually impaired and the deaf are critical categories during this period. The visually impaired
get by through touching objects and surfaces. It is important that they thoroughly wash their hands
with running water and soap as frequently as possible. Those who use wheelchairs are also
vulnerable because often times members of the public offer assistance to push the wheelchairs. The
kind gesture is always appreciated but the truth is it does create exposure. It’s a pity that hand
sanitisers are expensive. Otherwise I would have advised that they carry them and ensure that they
sanitise their hands regularly whenever there is absence of water”, Dlamini stated. He further advised persons with disability to try by all means to stay at home during the Covid-19 period.
“It is true that the city, particularly Manzini, is a fountain of life for many people, including people
with disability. Therefore, there is always that temptation to go to town. But which is more precious
between life and business? I know it may be difficult but if there is no pressing need to go to town,
please remain at home. Let’s remain safe. Life is precious. This Covid-19 will pass and we’ll get back
to our normal lives”, said the President. He also urged parents, guardians and anyone living with persons with disability to double their effort in taking care of them during this Coronavirus period.
“Never stop sensitising them about safety precautions. Please keep the environment in which they
live always clean. Disinfect all surfaces that they usually touch as they manoeuvre around the house.
Also help them wash their hands regularly”, he made an appeal.
The President further appealed for assistance towards people with disability during this period. He
said this could be in the form of sanitisers, soap and even food parcels during this stay-at-home
period.
DOOR-TO-DOOR COVID-19 COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS IN MANZINI
The Municipal Council of Manzini, through an internal task team that has been set up to push the
agenda of flattening the curve against Covid-19, has embarked on a citywide inspection of business
establishments; the purpose being to monitor compliance to preventative measures against the
Coronavirus. The team, together with the Royal Eswatini Police Service, moves door-to-door
checking if, amongst others, proper and alcohol-based hand sanitisers are applied on customers, the
required number of customers is allowed inside the shop, the appropriate social distance is observed
at the queues and that employees are protected from the virus. The observation has been that some
businesses are not utilising 70% alcohol-based sanitisers. These have been properly advised and
urged to get proper ones. The following photos were taken during the inspections.
