Massive Achievement for the Disability Sector and South Africa at large.

Internationallly acclaimed South African based disability rights activist and humanitarian, Nkosinathi Ndlovu to be honoured by New York based Viscardi Centre International in the United States.

The 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award (HVAA medal) is the "Nobel Prize" for the global disabilities advocacy.

In its 3 December 2022, International Day of Persons with Disabilities Commemoration, Viscardi Centre will honour internationally respected SA Disability Rights Activist Mr Nkosinathi Ndlovu, according to the

CEO of the Nkosinathi Ndlovu Foundation, Mr Mthobisi Shandu said the honour will be in recognition and celebration of Ndlovu’s long and sustained contribution as a dedicated champion of poverty alleviation through his philanthropic work as well as young leader and a committed disability rights activist in South Africa.

Born and breed in a strong political family in the era of apartheid, and introduced into the politics of liberation at an early age, joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1999.

Mr Ndlovu, currently serves for a second terms, as member of the Presidential Working Group on Disability (PWGD) in the Presidency, Chaired by H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa and newly appointed Programme Coordinator for Second Chance Matric Support Disability Directorate in the National Department of Basic Education, will also be honoured for demonstrates outstandingly leadership in advancing disability rights.

Nkosinathi was elected leader of Disabled Youth South Africa (DYSA) in Mpumalanga Province, it's wing of Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA), the organisation spearheading the disability rights movement in Southern Africa, in the liberation years. Ndlovu has played a leadership role in strategies to promote inclusive education.

When Ndlovu took leadership of the PGWD, he successfully negotiated for location of government's office of Disability within the Presidency as part of the reconfiguration of government and lobbied for the adoption of South African Sign Language as the 12th official langauge.

He served in various organisations at national and international level, including Africa Disability Alliance (ADA) and DeafSA, where he was elected National Deputy Chairperson of youth. He founded and served as CEO of South African Deaf Youth Development Organization (SADYDO) at national level, with the objective of addressing youth unemployment, skills shortage, and eradication of communications barrier amongst the Deaf and Hearing communities.

He availed himself for services at the International level, In 2020, created the Global Forum For Youth with Disabilities (GFYD), an independent membership organisation, focus on improving awareness and human rights for Youth With Disabilities around the globe.

The GFYD will works with NGOs, supranational organizations such as the United Nations (UN), as well as state governments in order to create legislation, fund disability youth programs in developing and industrialised countries. GFYD will be working very closly with UN and UNICEF, and in partliculary use the United Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ( UNCRPD) as their main code of conduct.

Appointed as a Global Youth Parliament member in Nepal, for two years (2020), serving in the portfolio committee of International Relations. In 2019, Ndlovu was part of South Africa government delegation attends a meeting, for Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa (BRICS) Youth Summit, in Brazil, in which he lobbied for countries to strengthening the participation of youth with disabilities in national and regional structures and Programme as well monitoring national implementation of the CRPD.

His passion for community development resulted in him establishing the Nkosinathi Ndlovu Foundation (NNF), in 2015, a non - profit organisation committed to developing a more inclusive global society and combating poverty.

He was an esteemed member of the National Order of Baobab in silver, who was honoured in 2018 for his excellent contribution to the fight for the rights of people's with Disabilities by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Union Buildings, Pretoria.

This includes his immense contribution to advocating for the plight of the most vulnerable in society.

“Our nation owes him an unpayable debt of gratitude and appreciation for all the sacrifices he has made throughout his life as a dedicated staunch disability activist in his own rights. He gave a voice to the many who had been rendered voiceless by the iniquitous and discrimination . I am delighted that the Viscardi Centre in the United States has seen it fit to honour his sustained and significant contributions by honouring him with an international award and warmly congratulate him on this richly deserved recognition and notable achievement,” said Shandu.

The Viscardi Centre will announces and bestow top 6 recipients of the 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards on 3 December 2022 at a virtual ceremony at the Mutual of America building in New York City.

First bestowed in 2013, the awards honor leaders in the global disability community who, through example of their professional accomplishments and advocacy efforts, are shifting societal perceptions and significantly improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.

Drawing nominations from around the world, this year's group is accomplished and diverse, representing Pakistan, United States and South Africa.

Recipients came from a variety of distinguished backgrounds.

Mr Ndlovu has raised South Africa flags very high on the global stage. ??????????

Warmest Congratulations, to Boya Benyathi!!! South Africa is proud of you! Halala!