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LIFESTYLE

ADVERTORIAL

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

s you go about your day and face challenges that seem overwhelming and unique to you; do you ever
wonder what you would do if you became disabled? Where would you go? Who would you turn to for
support? Would you be given the opportunity to earn a living or be relegated to an abysmal existence of
stigma and misery?

It’s a sunny morning and sitting across from Mubanga Dongo Mumba, I’m struck by her confident and friendly disposition. We
have met up to chat about her work as a receptionist in Pick n Pay Supermarket and life as a disabled person. Born in 1967,
with perfect vison, Mubanga is now visually impaired.

She describes her employer as accommodating, and
gushes at the fact that she is granted the liberty of
getting off early, so as to utilise the sunlight to move
through traffic with ease.

I have a very strong spirit,” She says. “Sometimes,
I think my name has also contributed to my
personality. Mubanga means ‘a strong tree.’ My
other name is Dongo which means ‘the earth.’ So
I see myself as this tree which is planted into the
Mubanga Dongo Mumba earth and this perception has given me strength…
receptionist “I love my name.”

Disability, is defined as a permanent physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment that alone, or in combination with
social or environmental barriers, hinders the ability of a person to fully or effectively participate in society on an equal basis with
others. Mubanga agrees with this synopsis, and believes that a lot of counselling is needed for the disabled community. She
explains that disability is not an easy reality to accept, and that counselling should be offered from the point of diagnosis all the
way to the individual’s household.

“I started working at Pick n Pay on 1st July 2014. I went there because I was told that they employ people with disabilities and
when I approached them, I was partially blind but my vision has worsened since. I joined the group as a temporary replacement
for the receptionist, who was going on maternity leave. My initial contract was just for three months but management said I did a
good job and decided to keep me on. They have a deliberate policy to employ people with disabilities.”

Zambia
69 The Africa We Want