Mbabane – Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has commended the Municipal Council of Mbabane for integrating disability programmes into its operations, calling for greater awareness and more child-friendly spaces for persons with disabilities.
The Deputy Prime Minister received a courtesy visit on Tuesday from Alfred Adams and Mduduzi Maphalala, representing Municipal Council CEO Gciniwe Fakudze, who briefed her on current programming and future plans aimed at easing the lives of persons with disabilities in the city.
During the visit, the council announced that Mbabane will soon conduct a Smart City Accessibility Survey, which will evaluate the accessibility of public spaces, buildings, transport infrastructure, and services across the city. 
The survey will also identify physical, informational, and systemic barriers affecting persons with disabilities, assess compliance with national disability and accessibility standards, and generate actionable recommendations.
The Deputy Prime Minister urged the council to raise greater awareness about the survey, stressing the need for parents of children with disabilities to come forward rather than hide or lock them away.
“My greatest wish is for the Council to establish a child-friendly centre that will allow children to be free and creative,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
