Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
IN 2010, Ms Sharai Makota, a respected science teacher and mother of five, experienced a life-altering tragedy when a road accident near Mvuma left her permanently disabled.
What was meant to be a routine trip to church turned into a devastating fight for survival.
Ms Makota suffered severe injuries from the accident, including a fractured arm, three broken ribs, a ruptured diaphragm and significant spinal damage.
The severity of her injuries was shocking; she spent 15 hours with her intestines in her diaphragm and was declared dead three times before being saved by the medical and surgical skills of Dr Acrum Chimuka.
His dedication to her recovery played a crucial role in her survival.
The accident forced Ms Makota into early retirement from teaching, a profession she had dedicated herself to and loved deeply.
Teaching science was not just a job for her; it was a calling that allowed her to inspire young minds. The emotional fallout from her injuries and subsequent retirement was profound. Shortly after her return home from hospital, her husband filed for divorce.
He was frank in his reasoning, stating: “He couldn’t live with a crippled woman. He left when I needed him the most.”
This abandonment compounded her heartbreak and left her feeling isolated at a time when she needed support the most.
Despite the immense challenges she faced, Ms Makota refused to let her disability define her. Instead of succumbing to despair, she found strength in her situation.
Today, she is a thriving mushroom and horticulture farmer, working hard to support herself and others in her community.
She believes that “disability doesn’t mean inability” and emphasises the importance of working, creating and believing in one’s potential.
This mind-set has been instrumental in her journey of healing and growth.
In addition to her farming, Ms Makota founded the Norton Support Group for the Disabled, a community-driven organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.
Through her leadership, the group is working to establish a learning centre specifically for children with disabilities, aiming to bridge the gap left by under-resourced inclusive schools.
Ms Makota passionately asserts that children deserve teachers who understand them. “This centre will welcome both disabled and able-bodied children,” she said.
Her vision is to create an environment where all children can thrive together.
Ms Makota’s remarkable resilience has not gone unnoticed.
She has received multiple awards for her advocacy and continues to inspire women, particularly those with disabilities, to reclaim their independence through their own business efforts.
Recently, she was recognised by the National Organisation for Development and Empowerment for her tireless work.
The organisation also granted a mining claim to support disabled entrepreneurs, further empowering individuals in her community.
Fifteen years after the tragedy, Ms Makota stands as a symbol of strength, perseverance and community building.
She reflects on her journey, saying, she lost her legs, “but not my purpose”.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and inspire change.
Ms Makota is not just a survivor; she is a beacon of hope for many, proving that it is possible to rebuild a meaningful life after tragedy.
