Sixteen persons living with disabilities have taken part in Eswatini’s first Disability Trolley Dash, an initiative aimed at highlighting the challenges they experience while shopping in retail stores.
The pioneering event was launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at Mashayitafula Pick & Pay Supermarket in Matsapha, bringing together beneficiaries, government officials, Cabinet ministers, stakeholders and retail representatives.
The Disability Trolley Dash provided participants with an opportunity to shop independently while allowing government and retail stakeholders to observe the barriers they encounter in everyday shopping environments.
Through the exercise, participants shared their experiences and highlighted areas where improvements could be made to enhance accessibility and customer support.
Speaking during the launch, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla said the initiative was introduced to give the government a better understanding of the daily realities faced by persons living with disabilities.
Dladla said it was important for decision-makers to engage directly with beneficiaries and witness the challenges they face so that appropriate solutions could be developed.
She said the programme reflected the government’s commitment to promoting dignity, inclusion and equal access to essential services.
“Through this initiative, we want to understand the experiences of persons living with disabilities and work together to find practical solutions that will make their lives easier,” Dladla said.
She added that discussions were underway on introducing dedicated assistants in retail stores to support shoppers living with disabilities whenever assistance was required.
She noted that while improving infrastructure remained important, providing quality customer service was equally essential in ensuring that persons with disabilities could shop comfortably and independently.
Pick & Pay representative Mario Fernandez welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards building an inclusive society. 
Fernandez said partnerships between government and the private sector were crucial in addressing challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
He highlighted Pick & Pay’s efforts towards inclusion, noting that the supermarket had employed people living with disabilities as part of its commitment to creating equal employment opportunities.
One of the participants, Nelisiwe Sibiya, who lives with albinism, expressed appreciation for being part of the programme, saying it created a platform for persons with disabilities to share their experiences.
Sibiya highlighted challenges faced by people living with albinism, particularly difficulties in reading product price tags due to visual impairments.
She said small print on shelves often affects their ability to shop independently without assistance.
Among the participants was Sibongile Khumalo, whose shopping during the Disability Trolley Dash amounted to E2 425.
