Lesotho: Communications Minister Launches Insight Center

The Minister of Science and Communications Technology, Mr. Tšoinyane Rapapa, officiated on Thursday at the launch of the Vodacom Foundation Insight Center, a library for blind and visually impaired people valued at 2 million.

In his remarks, Mr. Rapapa praised the Vodacom Foundation for providing digital literacy to ensure that visually impaired people do not feel left out.

He noted that the government considers the digital inclusion of visually impaired people to be a human rights issue that should receive special attention in legislation, policies and guidelines.

He stressed that this noble gesture portrays the country as a caring nation and said that the quality of any nation is judged by its ability to care for the most vulnerable.

He said the ministry is challenged and encouraged to work with the private sector and tech NGOs to specifically promote these innovations at our global, regional and local fairs, seminars, competitions and symposiums.

“For many years, what we have known as resources for the visually impaired have been limited to just things that help them perform basic life functions, like walking, cooking, washing, etc,” she said.

Therefore, he recognized the knowledge center for basing its technology on braille as the one that launched the original invention for the visually impaired.

He expressed his gratitude to Vodacom’s management, staff and everyone who has made this possible, saying that the doors of his ministry remain open to ideas that allow them to create socially relevant solutions.

Also speaking, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture said that she was pleased to witness the launch of the renovated section of the State Library and Archives which has been reserved for the blind and visually impaired.

He noted that this section not only looks good but, more importantly, now provides much-desired services tailored to the needs of the blind.

He further pointed out that the law is in line with the dictates of Article 18 (4) of the African Charter and the Rights of Peoples of June 1981, which provides people with disabilities a friendly environment that allows them to develop their full potential.

He commended people with blindness and visual impairments for bravely moving forward and for their commitment to succeed against all odds.

Similarly, the CEO of the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, Mr. John Matlosa, said that it is rewarding to have a positive impact on people’s lives and said that its mandate as the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation is to give back to the community and, in mostly the vulnerable.

He thanked the Basotho for their unwavering support and said that this would not have been a success, thus expressing his hope that this knowledge center would help Basotho in the long run.

Mr. Matlosa called on several cooperatives in the country to work hand in hand to give back to the community, noting that he would like all districts to have this center.

This is the first center of its nature in the country.