DPM launches Autism Golf Tourney
MBABANE – Yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, announced the launch the Autism Fundraising Golf tournament.
This fundraising campaign is organised by the Eswatini Golf Union and Illovo, among others. The golf tournament will be held at Ubombo Country Club in Big Bend, on October 29 this year. It will tee off at 9 am.
Speaking during the launch at the DPM’s Offices boardroom, Masuku said in support of Autism Eswatini and the entire Autism community, he would like to encourage financial support and participation at this golf tournament from all business communities, all partners and the public.
Masuku said the Government of Eswatini was aware that Autism was a global concern, as it affects 67 million people globally. Research further suggested that 50 million children were affected by autism and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
He noted that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in 160 people were affected by Autism, which was testament to the prevalence of this condition. He said it was worth mentioning that the Kingdom of Eswatini was not spared from the challenge.
Masuku said the first ever Autism survey carried out in the country in the Lubombo Region, revealed that one in six persons accounting for 16.7 per cent of the Lubombo population had Autism Spectrum Disorder.
He said it further revealed that most of those lived below the poverty line and that the statistic was very high for one region and for a country with a population of 1.1 million coupled with late identifications. “Something needs to be done to arrest the situation and Autism Eswatini continues to work with government to strengthen support Systems for persons with Autism in the country,” he said.
Project
Masuku said he hoped to see the support systems of persons with autism strengthened in Eswatini by 2023; through increased access to therapeutic services to 255 individuals in the communities and the autism office; through the establishment of a sensory room and the entire coordination of Autism Eswatini’s programme; through contribution to the Autism Eswatini building project of ‘One Stop Centre for Autism.’
The DPM added that his office was requesting support of the other fundraising campaigns for Autism Eswatini, such as the dinner scheduled for the November 19, 2022, at Tfutjana Mount Resort which was meant to launch the Autism Walk Challenge proposed for April 1, 2023, at Tfujana Mount Resort, KaKholwane.
Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Autism Eswatini Pastor Senzo Hlatshwayo, appreciated the assistance they got from the DPM’s Office and the other stakeholders in organising the upcoming tournament. He said the funds that would be collected during the tournament would be used with accountability and achievements would be shared with the organisation’s supporters.
Hlatshwayo said as an organisation they pledged to continue supporting persons with autism and their families in their effort to mitigate its impact.