By A Correspondent – The Youth Empowerment and Skills Development Association (YESDA) proudly joined hundreds of exhibitors at the Zimbabwe National Disability Expo 2026, held from 24–26 June at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo. Running under the theme “Embracing Disability Inclusion in All Sectors: A Masterstroke for National Prosperity and Economic Development,” the expo brought together local and international organizations committed to advancing disability rights and inclusion.

YESDA’s participation underscored its mission to empower young people with disabilities through skills development, entrepreneurship, and vocational training. The association showcased innovative programs in ICT, agriculture, and inclusive business models, highlighting how youth with disabilities can drive economic growth when given equal opportunities. Demonstrations of assistive technologies and peer mentorship initiatives further emphasized YESDA’s role in bridging the gap between policy and practice.

The Expo attracted over 500 exhibitors, including 24 international participants from countries such as India, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, and Zambia. The event was officially opened by Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira, while President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the closing ceremony, reaffirming government commitment to disability inclusion.

YESDA’s work aligns closely with Zimbabwe’s National Disability Policy (2021), which mandates disability focal units in all ministries and integrates disability as a cross-cutting issue in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1, 2021–2025). The policy also repealed the outdated Disabled Persons Act, strengthening legal frameworks to ensure persons with disabilities are included in the country’s Vision 2030 agenda of becoming an upper-middle-income society.

On the international stage, YESDA’s initiatives resonate with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2006). Key provisions such as Article 24 (inclusive education), Article 27 (employment rights), and Article 29 (participation in public life) were reflected in YESDA’s programs, reinforcing the principle of “Nothing about us without us.”

By participating in the Expo, YESDA demonstrated that disability inclusion is not only a matter of rights but also a catalyst for national prosperity. Through youth-focused empowerment and skills development, the association is helping to build a Zimbabwe where every citizen, regardless of ability, contributes meaningfully to economic and social transformation