One of a Kind
Many people have the false belief that people with disabilities are not meant to be economically productive. This has sadly led to the disenfranchisement of the disabled from most commercial and economic sectors of society. Disability is an unpredictable part of life it can happen to anyone at any time. Let’s imagine, a well to do business person suddenly finds himself disabled due to certain circumstances, should he just abandon all his business interests and sit at home waiting for charitable entities to help him survive, food for thought.
Austine Chikwababa is an outstanding individual. He officially goes by the title Chief Superintend Chikwababa. A very stern yet reserved man who is also a sharp dresser. Chief Sup Chikwababa is a Top Ranking Police Officer with the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Apart from what has already been mentioned Chief Sup Chikwababa has a disability. He became physically disabled as an adult due to certain circumstances that rendered him a wheelchair-user. After acquiring disability, he made the decision to carry on with the job he used to see to before he became disabled due to the love and passion he has for his profession. Thisability Hub recently caught up with him and had a brief conversation with him which is as follows:
THZ (Thisability Hub Zimbabwe): Please tell us about yourself?
CSC (Chief Superintend Chikwababa): Well I am a police officer with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and I currently occupy the rank of Chief Superintendent. I am also happily married and I have been blessed with two children, a boy and a girl.
THZ: How did you acquire disability?
CSC: Well I was involved in a road accident which unfortunately rendered me physically disabled.
THZ: Many people believe that people with disabilities are cannot be employed in high demanding sectors such as health and security, is this true?
CSC: I do not believe that this is true. I am a strong believer of the very common and famous statement; “disability does not mean inability”. I think that people with disabilities are equally capable of achieving great accomplishments if given the right opportunities we can prove themselves. It’s my honest belief that we are capable of undertaking endeavours that are equal and even better than our abled counterparts.
THZ: How have you managed being both a family man and a professional with a disability?
CSC: Well my motivation to continue my profession comes from my family. I love fending for my family the same way other men do because I am a father with children who look up to me to provide them with; food, clothes, shelter, school fees and other necessities. My greatest desire is to see them grow and start their own families and do well in life. So I have to continue working hard to achieve that my goal.
THZ: What are some of your memorable experiences as a top ranking police officer with disability?
CSC: It is when I have done well and others appreciate my contribution. I have had opportunities of being nominated to represent my country by the Commissioner General of Police at regional summits. I feel indebted to him for that kind of honour and trust. Each time I had that chance I grabbed it with both hands and did the best I could. I earned myself a lot of respect from my colleagues in the region and made friends with a good number of them due to my hard work and diligence.
THZ: Besides being a high ranking police officer what other roles do you play in society?
CSC: On the social side, I am an avid soccer fan. My favourite team is Black Mambas and I am the current chairperson of Black Mambas football club.
THZ: What are your final thoughts regarding disability in Zimbabwe?
CSC: Firstly; people with disabilities must never look down on themselves. They should remain focused and work hard to see their dreams through. They should concentrate on those things that they are still able to do and not mourn about those other things that they can’t do on account of disability. That may end up frustrating them and make life a huge burden devoid of anything interesting or worth living for.
Secondly; true self-acceptance for individuals with disabilities is important. Worrying about things that you can’t change only adds misery to one’s life. Even the Bible says a; “merry heart acts like medicine and a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Prov17:22). Disability does not make one less human. We are the same and all created in the image of God. All hope is not lost. The sky will not even be the limit. First, love yourself and others will love you.
Finally; there are a number of areas that need to be improved. Slowly but surely we will reach the levels of those countries which are ahead of us. People with disabilities need empowerment so that they become self-sustainable. Even those with disabilities who we often see begging on the streets can do very well for themselves if they get the necessary supports.
In conclusion, when we talk about children’s rights, we must factor in children with disabilities. When we talk about women employment and empowerment, that must also include women with disabilities. Rights of people with disabilities are still human rights. They must be enjoyed together with others not separate from abled people. That is the inclusiveness which the constituency of people with disabilities would like to realise.