Government has commended the growing partnership between the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) and the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN), describing it as a significant step towards strengthening disability inclusion, institutional capacity, and regional cooperation.
This came to the fore when the Namibian delegation, accompanied by officers from ZAPD, paid a courtesy call on Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Ms. Angela Kawandami, during their visit to Zambia.
Speaking during the meeting, Ms. Kawandami expressed appreciation to the Namibian delegation for returning to Zambia and advancing the knowledge exchange initiative with ZAPD.
She noted that the visit demonstrates a shared commitment by the two institutions to translate dialogue into action and deepen collaboration for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
The Permanent Secretary commended both ZAPD and NDCN for successfully signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as a reflection of their collective desire to build inclusive institutions that learn from one another through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and best practices.
Ms. Kawandami said she was pleased that the visit had culminated in the signing of the MoU, one of the key outcomes discussed during the Namibian delegation’s previous visit to Zambia.
She congratulated both institutions on reaching this important milestone, which she said would further strengthen collaboration in policy implementation, institutional capacity building, information sharing, and the promotion of disability rights.
She noted that the partnership provides a valuable opportunity for both organisations to share knowledge, undertake joint research, enhance technical cooperation, and strengthen systems that support the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Zambia and Namibia.
The Permanent Secretary further emphasized that by leveraging their collective expertise and experiences, the two institutions can develop innovative, evidence-based, and sustainable approaches that improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in both countries.
Ms. Kawandami observed that partnerships such as the one between ZAPD and NDCN demonstrate the progress being made towards building more accessible, inclusive, and resilient societies.
She added that the collaboration reaffirms the commitment of both countries to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the pledge to leave no one behind.
She reiterated Government’s commitment to fostering partnerships that advance inclusive development and ensure that persons with disabilities fully participate in all aspects of national development in line with national and international commitments.
Ms. Kawandami expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen the longstanding cooperation between Zambia and Namibia and lay a solid foundation for sustainable collaboration that delivers tangible benefits for persons with disabilities in both countries.
A key focus of the visit is the exchange of knowledge on Disability Management Information Systems (DMIS), with the Namibian delegation learning from Zambia’s experience in developing and implementing a disability registration and data management system.
The engagement is expected to enhance the capacity of both institutions to generate reliable disability data for planning, service delivery, and evidence-based decision-making.
The visit by the Namibian delegation runs from 22nd to 26th June 2026 and includes technical discussions, experience sharing, and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Technical Committee established under the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding.