tawandamusarurwa
Tendai Chara
“I AM not saying I am going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”
These inspirational words by the late American rapper and actor Tupac Shakur pushed Tapiwa Tsikai, an author and disability rights activist, to write a book on disability.
“As I was growing up, I liked Tupac Shakur’s music and as a person born with a physical disability, his music inspired me to raise positive awareness on disability issues. His music acted as the spark,” Tsikai said.
Titled “Cope”, the book brings to the fore issues surrounding disability and how society can cope with the condition.
In the book, the author interviewed people living with disabilities, a former senator who represented the interests of the disabled and Chipo Maza, a former child president.
A section of the book chronicles the life of the late Hillary Mlambo, an actor born with disabilities. Mlambo featured as a landlord in the popular television series “Wenera”.
Also featured in the book is Letty Mari, a woman who was born with epilepsy and is now running a non-governmental organisation that works with the disabled.
Peter Bota, a physiotherapist who was born with a disability, shares with the readers the agony he went through as he rose from being a poor disabled boy to become a highly qualified and respected professional.
The book has a chapter that discusses ways in which communities can cope with disabilities.
In the book, Tsikai reflects on the details he remembers about his childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
Unlike some books that are written mainly in a single form, “Cope” is written in many forms.
Some of the chapters are written in a question-and-answer format. Chapter summaries, in which readers are expected to answer questions, encourage reader participation.
Tsikai said his book is full of life stories that were written in an unusual manner.
“Apart from telling my story, the book also shares other people’s testimonies. I wrote it in a different way so as to arouse interest among the readers,” he said.
Some of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be directed towards the acquisition of a bus for St Giles Primary School, where Tsikai did his early education.
The author is the co-founder and director of Thisability Hub, an organisation that seeks to empower people with disabilities.
He also hosts “The Ability Show”, a television programme that discusses disability issues.
According to Tsikai, people working with disabled persons and parents of disabled children are the major buyers of the book.
“Cope”, a book which Tsikai says seeks to change the negative perceptions about disability, is a thrilling and deeply engaging read. With an appealing cover, the book will surely bring a spark and change of perceptions.
◆ Twitter: @charatendai
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter