Ability Optimization

Mr Andrew Sasha Mapfudza is a Rehabilitation Technician by Profession. Mr Mapfudza became inspired to pursue a career in Rehabilitation as a teenager through interaction with a certain Rehabilitation Technican who had developed a keen interest in helping the young Andrew be the best person he could possibly become. Through research, Andrew gained more insight into how to qualify for training as a Rehabilitation Technician.

After acquiring the necessary prerequisite o’levels to qualify for training as a Rehabilitation Technician the young Andrew made his first attempt to enter into the only Rehabilitation Technician training centre in Zimbabwe. He notes that the year he made his first attempt was 1997. Unfortunately his application was denied due to lack of “physical fitness”. Mr Mapfudza acquired disability as a young boy.

Having grown up with disability he regarded himself as being an ordinary man with some physical limitations. It was really beside him to think that he did not have what it takes to persue the career of his choice due to his impairment. After receiving an unfavorable feedback from Rehabilitation Technican Training Centre, Andrew then decided to persue other career paths.

Between the years of 1998 and 2011 Andrew kept himself busy by acquiring various other skills, including; Information Technology, Accounting and he even did a short course in motor mechanics! While still trying to find himself Andrew realised that he was unhappy with the career choices he made although he had managed to acquire gainful employment.

However in the midst of his desert experience Andrew found love! Within no time he married the love of his life and settled down. Still the young man was not happy with his career, he then made several attempts to enter into the Rehabilitation Technican Training Centre. Then finally, in 2012 he was admitted into the training centre. As a father and a husband, Andrew with the blessing of his wife made the difficult decision to resign from full-time employment so that he could enrol in training as a Rehabilitation Technician.

Within 3 years Andrew had qualified as a Rehabilitation Technician. Unfortunately for him during that time the Civil Service had frozen posts and was not employing anyone. Andrew then tried in vain to acquire employment in the private sector, they would reject himvon the basis of lack of “physical fitness”. Mr Mapfudza did not give up still, he became a self advocate who managed to convince government officials to recruit him despite the recruitment embargo. Mr Mapfudza joined the Civil Service as a Rehabilitation Technician in August 2016. His first deployment was at Marondera Provincial Hospital where he worked as a Rehabilitation Technician for a few years before he was transferred to Chivhu General Hospital where he is currently stationed.

When asked about his most memorable experience on the job he mentions how he has aided to restore ability to many who would have been injured by accident as he is stationed in a Hospital which is along the Harare to Beitbridge road which is the busiest road in Zimbabwe.

A Rehabilitation Technician is a Technicial Expert who treats patients through; physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

Asked about the greatest lesson life has taught him, Andrew simply said life has taught me never to give up!