Jairos Jiri Children Seek Meeting With Mnangagwa

By Percy Nhara | Southerton Business Times, Harare

Children at Jairos Jiri Harare Children’s Centre in Southerton stole the show on Friday, 30 October, with dance performances and an impressive handwriting demonstration that brought some guests close to tears.

The occasion was the presentation of the Gunyana Award, an initiative honouring President Emmerson Mnangagwa, but the children’s abilities and aspirations became the defining feature of the event. Among those present were Southerton ZANU-PF representative Hon. Andrew Makahamadze and Pastor Henry Shadaya, the party’s secretary for information. Both were visibly moved by the performances, particularly the demonstration by children who write using their feet.

The programme was held at the Jairos Jiri Harare Children’s Centre, an institution that provides education, rehabilitation and other support services to children and adults with disabilities.

An award built around inclusion

The Gunyana Award is the initiative of Hon. Makahamadze, with support from the Andrew Makahamadze Foundation and the Southerton Constituency Community Development Trust.

The award recognises people born in September who have made notable contributions to society. Makahamadze said President Mnangagwa had been selected because of his national leadership and contribution to the country.

He said the decision to present the award through Jairos Jiri was intended to make the children active participants in a national gesture of recognition and inclusion. The association’s president, Dr Lovemore Tendayi Chipunza, welcomed the initiative, saying the institution had long stood for inclusion, dignity and empowerment for persons with disabilities and learners requiring specialised support.

His speech, delivered on his behalf by National Executive Director Mrs Grace Kamanga, described the award as a meaningful gesture that placed the children at the centre of an important national occasion. The association also used the event to highlight the scale of its work.

According to Dr Chipunza’s speech, Jairos Jiri serves more than 16,500 persons with disabilities annually through outreach and follow-up programmes. Its 16 centres provide treatment, care and education to approximately 1,200 children and adults. Its services include schools, clinics, hostels, vocational training, income-generating projects, community-based rehabilitation and orthopaedic services.

The association’s work continues the legacy of its founder, the late National Hero Jairos Jiri, who championed the rights and potential of people with disabilities.

When children let their abilities speak

One of the most memorable moments came when children who write with their feet demonstrated their handwriting skills. Their work drew admiration from those watching, challenging assumptions about what children with physical disabilities can achieve when given opportunities, support and an enabling environment.

The dance performances also reinforced the message that disability should not define a person's potential.

In his prepared remarks, Dr Chipunza said the association remained committed to providing care, education, rehabilitation and opportunities for people with disabilities. He urged society to recognise that every person, regardless of disability, has abilities and potential that deserve to be nurtured. The message was particularly relevant at a centre where learners are supported to develop independence, practical skills and confidence.

Road safety concerns raised

Beyond the celebrations, Makahamadze raised concerns about the accessibility and safety of the area surrounding the centre. He highlighted the closure of an overpass across Birmingham Road that previously linked Ruvimbo Centre and the Jairos Jiri centre. The structure had provided a crossing route for people using wheelchairs and crutches. Its closure, he said, had forced persons with disabilities to cross the busy road, exposing them to traffic risks.

He further pointed to increased traffic during peak hours, when motorists from Southerton and surrounding areas use the road as a shortcut. Makahamadze proposed the installation of traffic lights to make crossing safer for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility challenges.

The issue raises broader questions about whether public infrastructure is being designed and maintained to accommodate all members of the community.

A petition and a request to the President

Makahamadze also outlined proposals that the constituency intends to submit to President Mnangagwa.

These include renaming Birmingham Road as Jairos Jiri Road and erecting a statue of the association’s founder at the corner of Birmingham and Lobengula roads. Another proposal is to erect a statue of the late Sally Mugabe at the hospital named after her and rename the access road leading to the institution Sally Mugabe Way.

The Gunyana Award itself is being held at the Jairos Jiri Harare Children’s Centre on behalf of the President, with the intention that the institution will present it to him. This has created an opportunity for the children to meet the Head of State and demonstrate what inclusion means in their everyday lives.

For the children, the hope is not simply to participate in an award ceremony. It is to be seen, heard and recognised for their abilities. Their message was clear: disability should never be a barrier to opportunity. And perhaps the most meaningful recognition would be for the President to meet the children whose determination and talent gave the occasion its greatest significance.

Jairos Jiri Harare Children’s Centre