Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
TINEVIMBO Darell Mavuku’s story is an inspiration to many.
He has defied the odds and defined himself through sheer hard work. Despite his disability, he remains steadfast in his goal of becoming an architect.
Born in January 2006, Tinevimbo grew up in Dzivaresekwa and later moved to Eastern Heights, Harare.
He was born in a family of three, with a twin sister, Tawanyasha Nicole, and a younger sister Charmaine.
Initially, he was a typical baby with no challenges.
At the age of two, Tinevimbo, however, fell ill, leading to paralysis in his right hand and difficulties with his legs, which hindered his ability to walk and run like other children.
One of his greatest assets is his supportive family. While many families might discriminate against children with disabilities, Tinevimbo’s parents and siblings constantly encouraged him, which significantly boosted his confidence.
He was able to play and interact with other children without feeling hindered by his challenges.
“The illness left me disabled, and I began to lag behind my twin sister in terms of education. My mother made me believe I was just like any other child and treated me the same,” he explained.
“Sometimes, when I went out to play, I would be reminded of my disability. At that time, we lived in Dzivaresekwa and some people would stare at me, which affected me.”
Tinevimbo attended conventional schools and was once placed in a special class.
“However, I was born with a talent: I could draw with my left hand. My mother recognised this gift and encouraged me. She connected me with experts in our neighbourhood to help me learn and perfect my skills.”
Tinevimbo developed an interest in drawing before he even started school, often sketching random things he observed. “Initially, I drew randomly; I could recreate images of people from pictures and even from my imagination,” he said.
Upon joining Dzivaresekwa 6 Primary School, he became known as the go-to person for any drawing tasks in his class. Later, he transferred to Herentals College in Grade Six, during which time he was registered at the National Arts Gallery, where he studied Fine Art on weekends.
After completing Grade Seven, he stopped attending the art gallery.
Tinevimbo continued his education at Eastwise College, where, in Form One, he developed an interest in drafting house plans.
“It was during this period that I discovered my passion for drawing architectural designs. I taught myself how to draft house plans and realised I had a deep interest in the field.”
After completing his Ordinary-Levels, he enrolled at Harare Polytechnic, where he is currently studying Drafting and Design Technology under the HEXCO Skills programme.
“I am currently studying safety, which includes working with metals and sharpening. My lecturer, Engineer Majowa, is confident I can nail it. He says someone with a similar disability has already passed the subject, so I am feeling positive,” he said.
Tinevimbo has excelled in various competitions, ranking seventh out of 31 participants in Zimbabwe and 35th out of 289 participants from eight African countries in a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) competition.
He continues to refine his craft and has gained the confidence of clients. To date, he has assisted five clients with their projects.
“I have clients who have been referred to me. They appreciate my work and have paid for my services. One client is currently constructing their house, and I cannot wait to see the final building.”
Despite his accomplishments, Tinevimbo faces challenges that affect his work.
“While I can draw house plans and clients trust my abilities, many want to see their homes in 3D prior to construction,” he said.
A 3D house plan is a digital, three-dimensional model displaying a building’s layout, typically from a bird’s-eye view, including walls, floors, windows and doors, often featuring interior design details such as furniture and materials.
“I lack the equipment to produce these models, and wish I could get assistance to acquire the machine to meet my clients’ expectations. If I could obtain this machine, I would be able to fulfil many customer desires and generate meaningful returns from my talent,” he added.
Tinevimbo advised other people with disabilities to believe in themselves.
“Never look down upon yourself, what people may see on you might not be the real reflection of you. Always pursue your dreams and ignore negative perceptions.
“My dream is to establish a construction company in the near future,” he said.
