Page 74 - Start Up_V. 2

LIFESTYLE

he goes on to reminiscence on the chain of events that At any given time, we employ disabled people in our
Schanged her life and career. organisation. Out there, disabled people are shunned; nobody
According to the Zambia National Disability Survey (2015): wants to offer them employment. From 2010, when the first
store was introduced in Zambia, we have endeavoured to
• Prevalence of disability is about 10.9% among adults (18+ have the disabled in almost every store and will have one, two,
years) three and sometimes four people.”
• The most common functional problem reported was with
sight followed by problems with walking, remembering, Mr. Sikaulu, explains that hiring is done through the
hearing, self-care and communication. Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPID), further
• Around 10% of the disabled said they had been beaten elaborating, he says:
or scolded, and around 8% reported the experience of
having been discriminated against by public services. “They get a lot of disabled people and are able to filter and
• Abuse and discrimination increased with severity of know who can adapt quickly into our line of work. We are
disability. About 8% had experienced physical abuse as a grateful to them for having helped us through the years.”
child while 2% had suffered sexual abuse.
As he chuckles, he describes his disabled employees as
The statistics are disheartening, they highlight the urgent need energetic. “I think they try to outshine the able bodied and
for intervention from society. Pick n Pay HR Manager, Bourne send out a message that just because they are disabled,
Sikaulu, shares some insights about the company’s inclusion doesn’t mean they can’t do the job.”
policy.
In July 2017, the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled
“From inception, Pick n Pay was built around serving (SAFOD), awarded Pick n Pay Zambia the Disability Champions
communities and on the principle that doing good is good Award, owing to the franchise’s demonstrated commitment to
business. foster inclusivity for the disabled.

STAFF WRITER

SEEDCO VEGETABLES'S

TOMATO HYBRID

SeedCoVegetables ensures the best quality seed for a
great farming experience. It starts with the right seed.

71 The Africa We Want
@seedcovegetables.