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“Macha's contribution to improving the lives of blind, partially sighted and other persons with disabilities both in Africa and around the world was remarkable,” said Dr Penny Hartin, CEO, World Blind Union (WBU), upon learning the death of Dr Elly Macha.
Macha, who became blind at the age of two years, overcame her lifelong disability to become the first woman with visual disability to acquire a doctorate degree in Gender, Disability and Development in East Africa from University of Leeds in the UK (2002). Macha leaves an exemplary track record of work and service for youth, women and children in the disability realm interspersed with remarkable contribution to the work of human rights advocacy for persons with disabilities both in Africa and in the world.
“A great tree has fallen. We at the WCC-EDAN and indeed the entire world ecumenical family are greatly shocked and saddened by her untimely demise,” said Anjeline Okola, programme executive for the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network (WCC-EDAN).
“Your footprint will forever remain in the path of emancipation of visually impaired women in Africa,” added Dr Samuel Kabue, a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Macha passed on at a UK hospital on 31 March while undergoing treatment following a sudden illness. At the time of her demise, Macha was serving as a member of parliament in Tanzania, as second vice president of the WBU and as a member of the WCC-EDAN Network
Prior, Macha who started her advocacy work at the age of 18 as a member of the Tanzania League of the Blind, worked with WCC–EDAN as a human rights programme officer (2011-2014), and as executive director, African Union of the Blind (2005-2010).
In Tanzania, Macha served in various posts, including as an education officer of the Tanzania Society for the Blind, founder of a deaf-blind organization in Tanzania, national coordinator of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Programme for persons with disabilities in Tanzania, and director of research for the Information Centre on Disability-Tanzania.
She has left a rich legacy of visionary leadership, and was a champion of human rights for persons with disabilities - especially women - in Tanzania, Africa and around the world.
