One armed outstanding lead guitarist

miserable because they always worry thinking if I had this or that, or if I had grown up like this or the next person.
Some of us feel that certain people owe us or should help us out of our situation in order for things to change in our lives.
You are your own enemy and what you say about yourself or your environment will affect you as a person.

My Holy Bible tells me that the race is not given to the swift but time and chance happen to them all.
Everyday that you meet gives you the opportunity to develop a step further on your inert potential, present skills and the general outlook. Your attitude determines your altitude.
Shavieri Joseph is a perfect example of a person who has learnt to cope with life using his one hand.

Indeed all things are possible to them that believe.
Joseph is an outstanding lead guitarist whose style and technique demonstrates a musician par excellence as he navigates through all types of music with such ease.
At the age of 12 he started learning how to play musical instruments. He would attend practice sessions next door to where he lived.

His first performance took place at the Mabvuku Recreational Centre during what was popularly known as Teen Time.
Currently, he is a devoted member of the United Family International Music Ministry.
People say that Shavieri is a God fearing wonder instrumentalist who plays keyboards, lead guitar and bass.

His talent shows that disability is not inability.
Besides being a musician, Shavieri is a father of six.
Out of curiosity I asked him whether he was born without the other hand or not and he vividly gave the following.

During the liberation struggle he lost his hand due to a bombing while at Nyamaropa Irrigation on July 20, 1978.
With one hand after the bomb blast the game had changed though deep down in his heart a strong passion was still alive to playing music.
One day he decided to borrow a friend’s guitar just to try out what he was feeling inside.

Privately, he began to work out his way using the one hand until he developed a new technique and art of playing the guitar.
His friends always wondered what he was up to considering that he had one hand.
One of his strength that made it much easier to start creating music was the fact that he had a natural good ear for music.

A person with a good ear for music finds it easier to manoeuvre around and experiment with music instruments.
Groups such as Jabavu, Summer Breeze and the Cannibals have played a critical role in giving Shavieri an equal opportunity to demonstrate his ability during their shows.
My first encounter with this amazing talent was at the “Keep Hope Alive Concert” held some years back at the 7 Arts Theatre.

One good thing about him is that he hasn’t given up instead he is going stronger.
As we recognise, appreciate and celebrate musical talent in Zimbabwe it is a must for us to stop and give this man some credit.

It’s also a joy to see blind people playing music on the streets while we go about our business.
Let the music play on.