dyton mupawaenda
Valerie Mpundu–Arts Correspondent
Arts and media personalities have proved in more than one way that they can do as much as those who are not disabled.
Radio and television personality Ian Takudzwa Vambe, for example, has established an organisation to cater for people with disabilities.
Vambe, known by his legion of fans as The Advocate on Classic 263 Breakfast Show, has club foot and is seeking to help people with disabilities gain recognition and inclusion at their workplace.
As co-founder and managing director of Mkundi Foundation he intends to change the lives of them in a big way. Together with Chipo Muchegwa, the two founded the organisation and has great plans for their targeted group. They have, so far, done extremely well.
“We are an organisation that seeks to realise the full potential of people with disabilities, as we try to positively impact their mindset and help them see the greatness they possess regardless of what society may think.
“We identify people with disabilities and let them talk about their journey while we record their narratives so as to motivate and share their experiences with similar persons in Hatcliffe where we are based,” he said.
Last year, the foundation handed over 10 wheel chairs to homes like Jairos Jiri and individuals with disabilities. It also donated sanitary wear to girls.
On the challenges people with disabilities are facing Vambe lamented “the lack of infrastructural facilities, attitudinal barriers from the community and stakeholders.
People with hearing impairment struggle to get representation and justice in court, as they are not enough translators to help them report their cases, you will find out that even police stations do not have sign language interpreters that assist in reporting cases therefore, one struggles to put their case across”
Despite his inroads in journalism, Vambe advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and dabbles as a gender- based violence activist.
“In no way should we inflict pain on the other person be it physical or psychological let us spread love and not hate,do not abuse the other person as it might damage them and scar them for life” he said.
He is also a singer who recently collaborated with Mbeu and the Mhodzi Tribe on his music video “Kana Uchida” and to top it off he married his long time sweetheart who is also a news anchor, Anashe Murombedzi.
“She is the love of my life and I do not see myself living without her. We are a match made in heaven. We both support the same football team Manchester City. It’s not everyday you get to fall in love and marry your sweetheart.”
Taking the entertainment industry by storm and making a huge impact is wheelchair-bound Chipo Muchegwa who shot to fame with her track “Ndezvemoyo” in which she featured the late Tichaona Terrence Green, popularly known as “Terry-Gee” who passed away last month.
The Norton-based artiste boasts of collaborations with musicians such as Pauline from Mafriq on the song “Rudo Rwekare”, Terry Gee and others.
Commenting on how the industry has received her music so far, Muchegwa said:
“I think society has received my music quite well. I have earned quite a fan base and people are listening to my music. I am happy with the response.
“With the collaborations I have done so far, the ones in which I did with the late Terry Gee stand out as they made a name for me. They made me more popular and the reception from the fans was amazing.
“People fell in love with ‘Ndezvemoyo’ and ‘Makafanana’. Terry might have left us and it impacted hugely on me, but I will not stop making music, this is a legacy I intend to build”
Dean du Plessis, a Zimbabwean cricket commentator, is the world’s first visually impaired cricket commentator to participate in international matches.
His analysis is so spot on you’ would fall in love with the sport from a mere analysis.
Having been absent from the commentary scene for over two years now due to complications with his hearing that have since developed over the past couple of years, he is dubbed as a true cricket aficionado.
The late great, Paul Mataire who added humour to music and had outstanding diction, inspired many with his lyrical prowess.
Online Reporter