Sundaymail Editor
Theseus Shambare
IN the past, people living with disabilities (PWDs) would shy away from certain professions on the assumption that some occupations were preserved for the ‘able bodied.’
However, the advent of technology has debunked this assumption, as everyone can fit in any role, despite their physical conditions.
The story of Mr Peter Masendeke, a lecturer at Gweru Polytechnic, is evidence of how society has progressed both in technology and mindset.
Despite being born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that causes brittle bones, he has risen to become one of the renowned lecturers in the country.
Although he relies on crutches and a wheelchair for mobility, he has retained the ability to discharge his duties with distinction.
“People with disability are not a liability to the society but assets,” he stated.
Mr Masendeke revealed that he has always been a strong-willed character, fighting challenges that life threw at his way, including the death of his mother, when he was only a year old.
He was a bright spark in all matters academic as he completed his primary education at Jairos Jiri Centre in just six years, instead of the usual seven.
Mr Masendeke continued to excel at Thornhill High School in Gweru, where he enrolled for his secondary education.
“Thornhill was different from Jairos Jiri where all learners had disabilities. I was now supposed to adjust to work with able-bodied counterparts,” he said.
Luckily for him, the school had systems that did not allow for discrimination.
One of the key people who looked out for Mr Masendeke throughout high school was business tycoon and founder of Sakunda Holdings, Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who by then was his dormitory prefect.
“He would always come to my rescue whenever I faced challenges. He was full of love and always eager to help.”
Now a family man and father, Mr Masendeke fought his way up and graduated with a BSc in Politics and Administration in the late 1990s at the University of Zimbabwe.
He is also a holder of diplomas in Technical and Vocational Education as well as Economics and Labour Law.
A lecturer since 2006, Mr Masendeke sits on various boards, including the Health Professions Authority; the National College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe; and Hope Trust, a registered private voluntary organisation concerned with disability issues.
Mr Masendeke is also Midlands Coordinator for the Albinism Alive Initiative and a patron of Youth Voices, a trust focusing on the welfare of people with disabilities.
The seasoned lecturer also has a friend, Mr Isheunoziva Chinyoka, who is excelling in academia, despite being disabled.
Mr Chinyoka (40), who hails from Mberengwa, is visually impaired but is now a symbol of inspiration to many in his community and the legion of students who pass through his hands at the University of Zimbabwe.
He holds a Masters in International Relations and a Bachelor of Law degrees from the UZ.
Currently, he works as a braillist (teaching blind people) at UZ.
“When I joined the UZ in 2007, I wanted to help students acquire knowledge in ICT. At the time, this was an uncharted territory locally which provided more opportunities for students and professionals with disability,” he added.
Both Mr Chinyoka and Mr Masendeke are members of the College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe and they are advocating the establishment of disability resource centres (DRCs) at all higher learning institutions.
These DRCs promote inclusive education and cater for the needs of people with disabilities such as accessible buildings for wheelchair users and suitable devices for visually impaired students.
All this is part of inclusive steps towards the achievement of the National Development Strategy goals.
Currently, the UZ, Kwekwe Polytechnic and Mutare Teachers College have established DRCs but the aim is to have such centres at all tertiary institutions countrywide.
Captson Resources, a local company that specialises in technology, has pledged to support the project to increase the number of DRCs at institutions of higher learning.
The company’s Business Development Manager Mr Michael Chirwa said: “We bring global knowledge products, specifically academic e-books and e-journals through partnering international publishers to provide access to peer-reviewed content in multiple disciplines at academic level.”
“This ensures that the content being referenced at top universities across the world is the same content being used by local university and college students,” he added.
Captson also supplies hearing aids, e-journals, books in braille and free online lessons.
Mrs Samantha Sibanda, an activist for people with disabilities said: “Disability is not a charity condition. People living with disabilities should be supported so that they can play their part in economic development just like their able-bodied counterparts.”
Online Reporter