Kwekwe Poly unveils multi‑sport wheelchair to boost inclusion

KWEKWE Polytechnic has strengthened its footprint in sport following the development of a multi-disciplinary sports wheelchair designed to enhance participation for people living with disabilities.

The innovation was showcased during a tour of the institution by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Frederick Shava, yesterday.

Shava’s visit to Kwekwe Polytechnic and the Seventh Day Adventist College of Education was part of Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure higher and tertiary institutions accelerate rural industrialisation and support communities in value addition and beneficiation initiatives.

Alongside the sports wheelchair, the minister also viewed a range of technological advancements produced by the institution, including a plastic recycling machine, a Masawu fruit peeler, a mobile Pfumvudza driller and an electric bicycle.

The minister applauded the Midlands institution, stressing that the multi-disciplinary wheelchair was designed to promote full inclusion of athletes across different sporting disciplines, regardless of disability.

“Disability should not be a barrier for those who wish to get into sport and with such innovations, it shows that we are all committed to upholding President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and community behind,” he said.

“If we commit to such innovations, we can even field more numbers at the Paralympics and other big competitions within the country and beyond.”

These innovations highlight Government’s commitment to supporting practical solutions for community development, empowerment and the inclusion of people living with disabilities in sport and other sectors.

Wheelchair sports in Zimbabwe include basketball, tennis, bodybuilding and para athletics (marathon), co-ordinated largely through the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee and the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games. However, financial constraints continue to hamper growth, with many athletes unable to afford modern equipment.

Kwekwe Polytechnic principal Evans Musara said the sports wheelchair was designed to broaden access to affordable equipment.

“Our wheelchair is pegged at US$400 making it a little more affordable compared to athletes… we use materials that we source locally and I am proud to say the wheelchair recently won the best innovation among tertiary education institutions,” Musara said.

“The innovation was born out of a request by the association who approached and asked to tailor-make something affordable for athletes with disability and I am impressed that we were able to achieve that.”
Top Zimbabwean wheelchair athletes include Margret Bangajena, Stellah Jongwe, Samson Muroyiwa, Ratidzo Tomu and Moleen Majoni, who have won gold medals at events such as the OCC Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge and the Francistown BTC Marathon. Jongwe claimed gold in the T53/54 category at the 2022 OCC Outeniqua Challenge, while Muroyiwa and Tomu secured gold in the 42,2km and 21km races, respectively.

Despite these successes, most Zimbabwean athletes compete using older, heavier, non specialised or damaged wheelchairs, limiting their ability to perform at elite international level.