Disabled man fights to be councillor
Boniface Keakabetse | Monday March 9, 2015 17:32
The wheelchair bound Edwin Phaladi, who has been trying to be a councillor to no avail has slammed government for turning down his applications.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) man was disabled after he broke his neck in a horrible swimming pool accident in Orapa in 1992. The well-read Phaladi, is a motivational writer passionate about books. He said that he has long harboured political ambitions which are hampered by his physical condition. He was motivated to become a councillor after the realisation that there is zero representation for the disabled in the councils and Parliament. “Pain is in the mind of the beholder. The disabled must represent themselves at both the council and parliament because so far their voice is not be heard,” he said.
Phaladi explained that People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) are more affected by social problems such as the rampant unemployment adding that “ whenever there is a problem in the country like recent rise in unemployment it affects us more,” he said. Phaladi further said his core agenda to be voted include fight for the human right of PLWD in Ngamiland, advocate for PLWD empowerment, advocate for PLWD infrastructure in public places, foster PLWD inclusion in policy formulations and legislations and do extensive consultation feedback with PLWD in Ngamiland.
However for the third time after October 2014 elections, his application was turned down. Phaladi who is also a member of the North West District Council Disability Committee slammed government for filling up all council positions with people who lost in the General elections when they are other more deserving candidates like the disability community.
Phaladi said he had hoped to exploit the specially nominated councillor provision but his physical status disadvantages his activism in politics. “I applied for the position three times since the 2004 elections but have been turned down in all those. I started applying after receiving information that the specially nominated council position is for People Living With Disability (PLWD) like me but it seems I was wrong,” he said.
In August last year, Phaladi wrote to the then Minister of Local Government, Peter Siele, applying to be nominated as a special councillor. Siele’s office notified Phaladi in writing to make an application through the District Commissioner.
In the response letter, Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Ministry Boipelo Khumomathare stated that specially nominated positions are selected through political structures. Khumomathare also noted that names of persons for special nominations have to be submitted to the respective member of parliaments of those constituencies who approve their names before submition to the district commissioners and appointment by the local government minister.
Phaladi said he then approached incumbent Maun West MP, Tawana Moremi, who approved his application, only for the minister to turn it down.
Phaladi said that Slumber Tsogwane who is the current Minister of Local Government knows him personally. “Tsogwane knows that I am passionate about politics and PLWD issues so I wonder why he did not appoint me,” he said. Phaladi further said he suspects that special nominations now serve the interest of the ruling party, not people with special needs. Phaladi said he is undettered and will ‘die trying to make his political dream come true.’
“Contrary to common perception, people living with disabilities are not lazy. We are hard working but things are tough for us as we are rejected by the same people supposed to be helping us,” he said.