Enjoying the Journey

Enjoying the Journey

As we celebrate Women’s Month we as Thisability Hub would like to celebrate our own. There are several women with disabilities globally who have excelled in various fields. In Zimbabwean disability circles we have high fliers among us for instance; Senator Rejoice Timire, Disability Board Chairperson Ms. Mercy Maunganidze, Presidential Advisory Council member Elisa Revengai and former Senator Annah Shiri are some examples of women with disabilities who have excelled beyond limitations brought on by societal barriers to inclusion.

Many women with disabilities of excellence are usually unnoticed, especially those who are young and upcoming, Chiedza Nkomazana is one such an example of a young woman with disability who is young and exceling in her field. Chiedza is a Network Engineer who works for one of the largest Cellular Networks in the country. Apart from being an Engineer Chiedza is a former model who has several titles under her belt including; Miss Danhiko and 1st Princess Miss Disability 2011. Chiedza is also a strong advocate for Disability Rights. Below is a conversation we recently had with her. Please read it to get to know this amazing young woman:

THZ: Please tell us a bit about your childhood.

Chiedza N: My childhood was ok. I grew up pretty much like any other ordinary kid. When I was at St Giles we were all the same but when I went to Danhiko I started noticing that I am different from other people because of the environment I was in. Despite that I never really struggled to have friends from both able and disabled peers. I guess I was just lucky!

THZ: At what age did you decide to pursue network engineering?

Chiedza N: When I was 25 I decided to study telecommunications as a result of acquiring a job in the telecommunications industry. Originally I had studied Information Technology but because of the new job I had to study telecommunications so as to have a greater understanding of the job. I also have always been fascinated with technology and how it has transformed the lives of a lot of people including people with disabilities. For instance, there are applications that allow the visually impaired to use their phone with no assistance from anyone.

THZ: What is your vision for the African Girl Child with Disabilities?

Chiedza N: My greatest wish for young girls and ladies with disabilities is that they get opportunities to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) related subject matter and pursue careers in science and technology without being discouraged by society’s prejudices that they are not able to do that. If I can do that then so can you, the sky is the limit!

THZ: We are aware that you own your own vehicle. What are some of your experiences as a driver with disability?

Chiedza N: People are amazed when they see me pulling over and stepping out of my car. They stare out of amazement! I remember the one time I went to buy some groceries at a local supermarket one of the shop’s attendants assisted me by carrying my groceries to where I was parking my car and apologetically asked how I was able to drive in my condition. I also think that when society sees that we can also drive it shifts their perspective towards disability.

THZ: Please chronicle some of your experiences of disability in the Western world, for example your experiences in USA.

Chiedza N: I have attended high powered conferences such as the UN Summer Youth Assembly twice as a delegate and I was afforded the opportunity of being a panelist where I discussed disability related issues in Zimbabwe. My experience in America was amazing because for the first time I could walk in the street and nobody stared! I felt no different from anyone else and for a while I even forgot about my disability because it wasn’t an issue there. I actually felt like I was the one in so much shock that I was staring at people. My experience in the UK was the same however the British smiled whenever you looked at them which was better than just staring at someone.

THZ: In your own opinion what can the Zimbabwean society do to be more accommodating of people with disabilities?

Chiedza N: I think as a society we need to modify all buildings for them to be user friendly and develop a transport system that accommodates people with disabilities for an example wheelchair ramp to get into the bus and a reserved seat for people with disabilities. Zimbabwe can also adopt an empowerment model similar to the BEE empowerment model in South Africa as well as rewarding companies that make a deliberate effort to employ people with disabilities so as to encourage employment of people with disabilities.

THZ: Where do draw your inspiration from?

Chiedza N: My family inspire and motivate me to become a better person. I think family is the backbone of a person with a disability. If I didn’t have my family’s encouragement and support, I don’t think I would be where I am today.

THZ: What’s your take on disability, dating and relationships?

Chiedza N: It’s relative some struggle to get in one or stay in one and some don’t but at the end of the day you should be with someone you have a connection with and who is willing to stick with you through thick and thin. The challenge comes when it’s time to marry and the family doesn’t accept you and then you end up having to break up because the people who are influential in his life don’t approve of the relationship or marriage.

THZ: What are future plans?

Chiedza N: In the future I intend to pursue leadership roles in the technology industry. I also want to focus more on humanitarian work that benefit people with disabilities.

THZ: What are your final thoughts?

Chiedza N: One should work hard to achieve what one wants and not give up no matter what. Rome was not built in a day however I have learnt that it’s not the destination that makes one happy it’s the process of the journey where you experience a lot of things!