Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
FORMER Highlanders striker Ndumiso “Tsuro” Vundla thought it was just mist and when his colleagues told him that there was no mist, he was convinced that they were playing games with him.
This was early one morning while he was working in South Africa, almost six years after he resigned from his teaching post at Wankie Secondary School in Hwange.
What he thought was mist was the beginning of an ailment that would lead to him becoming visually impaired and jobless. He is now a vendor, selling drinks, amaputi, perfumes, samoosas among other items at the corner of Herbert Chitepo and 13th Avenue in Bulawayo.
The Hillside Teachers’ College diploma in education graduate was to be diagnosed with glaucoma in 2013, an ailment that was to change his life for the worst.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to your brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure.
Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages.
Having dazzled past many defenders while putting on the famous black and white jersey in front of thousands of fans, Tsuro, as he was nicknamed during his days because of two characteristics, his body size and dribbling wizardry, was suddenly a lonely man due to blindness.
Vundla was part of the trailblazing Highlanders’ squad that had the likes of Zenzo Moyo, Melusi Mabaleka Sibanda, Thabani Masawi, Simon Sibanda, Sizabantu Khoza, Thulani Ncube, Blessing Gumiso, Gift Lunga Jnr, Bekithemba Ndlovu, Dazzy Kapenya, the late duo of Amon Chimbalanga and Charles Chilufya. The fiery Amahlolanyama squad won four league titles while under the tutelage of Rahman Gumbo.
A former Embakwe and Plumtree High School learner, Tsuro went into early retirement from professional football to pursue a teaching career and he graduated in 2002.
“I decided to pursue something that I would fall back on because football is a risky career, but after graduation, it was difficult for me to go back to professional football, so that is how I hung my boots,” said Vundla.
After five years teaching in Hwange, Vundla decided to cross the Limpopo River after securing a teaching job. Life seemed all rosy until that fateful morning when his world became misty.
“I had no history of eye problems so I couldn’t believe what my colleagues were saying that there was no mist until later on that day when the world in front of me became pitch black. I couldn’t see anything,” said Vundla.
He went to a medical centre where a doctor diagnosed him with glaucoma and after a few more consultations he slightly regained his sight but he could only see objects that are less than 100cm from him, not enough for a normal life.
In a foreign land, visually impaired and alone, Vundla was left with no choice, but to come back home.
“I came back home around 2014 and tried to get back to the Education Ministry but it wasn’t to my wish because at that time they were allegedly taking those who majored in Mathematics or Sciences. I kept probing until I was given a one-year contract and was posted in Binga but the community never accepted me because of my condition, however, it was difficult for the employer to do anything but conditions at work for me were really not palatable. All sorts of tricks were tried to find me on the wrong side regarding performance but they found nothing,” said Vundla.
With the challenges he faced in Binga, Vundla knew that having his contract renewed would be a miracle so he decided to do special education training at United College of Education.
“I had to enrol at UCE so that I could learn how to use the Braille, graduating in 2019 just before Covid-19 grounded the world so getting a teaching post hasn’t been easy. I recently approached umama the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube for assistance.
“She referred me to her Matabeleland North counterpart ubaba uRichard Moyo who engaged the Provincial Education Director, Jabulani Mpofu. I must say that all three were really helpful, they gave me hope. They say beggars are not choosers, yes, but my prayer is for me, if ever I am to get a job, to be at a station that will be friendly to my condition,” said Vundla.
Government policy states that visually impaired teachers must be provided with assistants.
A few of his former teammates at Highlanders check on him once in a while with Mkhuphali Masuku, who is now based in the United Kingdom, and Netsai Moyo being frequent visitors.
“Super is my senior. I never played with him but he has been a pillar for me, at one time he tried to facilitate an engagement with Highlanders principal sponsors Sakunda Holdings when they were giving some tokens of appreciation to former players. I may not have been considered but I am ever thankful for the effort by u-bro Super because any help is welcome,” said Vundla.— @skhumoyo2000
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