Today Zekwande Mathenjwa, a 12-year-old non-speaking autist from Pretoria, took a major step in his journey as an autistic advocate. His words (communicated by Spelling to Communicate) were read at the Office of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa by Vicky Oettle.
Dear Mr President Ramaphosa and other members of the government
My name is Zekwande Mathenjwa and I am non-speaking.
Nobody believes that someone like me is capable of great things, but I am here to tell you that they are wrong.
Help us to reach our potential by giving us access to services that presume competence and see how we are capable of changing the world.
Thank you for listening to someone who knows autism from the inside out.