Vision beyond Physical Sight

Panashe Sean Marime is a virtuous self driven young man who defied odds set against him. Despite his acquired disability of visual impairment, Panashe has managed to make the best of the sudden and drastic changes brought on in his life through loss of physical sight. Panashe recently became the first man with a visual impairment to graduate with an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Zimbabwe.

While he was still in his prime, a younger Panashe who was about to complete studies for his first degree suffered a mind boggling,head splitting migrane headache during an examination period. He notes that this happened while he was studying a double major Bachelor of Arts Undergraduate Degree at a certain University in South Africa. It was shortly after this when he lost his sight.

Miraculously, after receiving medical attention, months later, he discovered that he had passed all his examinations. This reality was difficult to embrace for the young man, who had by now been rattled to his core. As if this was not enough, on returning to register for the next semester, which marked the beginning of his final year, Panashe was forced by the University authorities to defer his studies until such a time when he would have regained his sight. The said deferment would last for a maximum of four years. The University authorities noted that he could not be accommodated without being able to physically see due to the absence of trained staff and lack of braille learning materials.

Panashe was then forced to discontinue his studies and face a gruesome, lonely idle 5 years at home. For him, this period spelt the thwarting of his dreams. However it was during this “wilderness” experience, that the young man found himself. He realised that he had an innate musical talent and hence Cupid was born. As Cupid he then successfully compiled a 10 track RnB album, while working with Michael Chilufya Chota, Zepheniah Dube and Take 5. This album was so good that it impressed the late Oliver Mtukudzi so much that the young Cupid was invited over to Pakare Paye Arts Centre for mentorship. Unfortunately Cupid was unable to go to Pakare Paye during the time. Sadly Oliver Mtukudzi subsequently demised. Today the album is available on soundcloud.com under the title; Cupid the King of Hearts.

While in the midst of persuing his musical career Panashe heard of Dorothy Duncan School for the blind. Panashe was then enrolled. While there he was nurtured and taught; braille, independent mobility, assistive technologies such as JAWS and Google Talk Back, as well as life skills. While at Dorothy Duncan Panashe learnt about Disability Resource Centre at the University of Zimbabwe.

After graduating from Dorothy Duncan, Panashe then enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe. He then began studying for a Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology degree. Panashe sailed through his studies and recently graduated, becoming the first man with a visually impairment to obtain a an Honours Degree in Psychology from institution. At present, the young man has been sharing his accomplishments with the masses, through radio and individual interactions. He plans to further his studies and develop his musical career in the near future.