Young and Vibrant

Young and Vibrant

Mr. Ian Vambe is a fascinating young man. He gives off a confident and vivacious aura when one interacts with him. A journalist by profession Mr. Vambe is also a graduate of holding a bachelor’s degree in English. Besides his profession of being a journalist Ian is a fervent disability rights activist. Born with a disability more than 20 years ago, Mr. Vambe has never let his disability rout him. Recently Thisability Hub got the opportunity to get to know this incredible young man.

THZ: Who is Ian Vambe?

IV: Ian Vambe is a young man aged 25. Disability rights advocate, media practitioner. 2nd SADC Youth parliament member. African Union Youth Club (Disability Committee) National chairperson.

THZ: What are some of your experiences growing up with a disability?

IV: Growing up with a disability in the rural areas gave me rich experience. I grew up in a family of 5, being the only one with a disability (which I never felt any single day). My family treated me the same as everyone else. They helped me build my confidence and charisma at an early stage. They encouraged me to venture more into public speaking. That’s when it all started in short.

THZ: What inspired you to venture into disability rights activism?

IV: I grew up noticing challenges faced by people with disabilities in rural areas. That marked the genesis if my passion to change the way people with disabilities are treated.

THZ: How did you begin your journey into disability activism?

IV: I got an opportunity to join Young Voices, a Leonard Cheshire Disability Advocacy program that is youth centric. Young voices introduced me to the world of advocacy. It gave me a platform to channel my desire to help people with disabilities in a more systematic manner. This program was central to my exposure to radio interviews, engagements with local leaders, MPs, City fathers, senators and various other policy makers.

THZ: What are some of your memorable experiences as a young Disability Activist?

IV: Some of my memorable experiences are; my first time on Tv and radio as a guest, representing Young Voices. I remember very well we talked about employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Another memorable experience was when I was the youngest panelist on a disability rights advocacy platform. I remember feeling thrilled to be rubbing shoulders with advocacy gurus such as the late Dr Magweva from NASCOH. I wasn’t satisfied with my presentation at all, but the feedback I got boosted my confidence.

THZ: Please detail your journey to becoming a journalist.

IV: Well, I feel that my career is still young. Before studying Media at postgraduate level, I was a constant guest on Capitalk FM (Thanks to Donald Mukota) as a disability rights advocate. I realized I could take my advocacy work to a better level if I venture into media full time. I enrolled at UZ for a postgrad diploma. Upon completion I was immediately offered a job with my current employers after producing a documentary titled ‘Scars of the Liberation Struggle’ which focused on war veterans with disabilities. Currently I am producing a disability talk show called Bridging the Gap on Classic 263. Every Thursday between 1115hrs and 1200 hrs.

THZ: When did you discover that you have a love for cars?

IV: Hahaha! I’ve always loved cars as a little boy.

THZ: We love your new car show, please tell us more about it?

IV: Thank you. The car review show is titled Mugaris it is basically a show that intends to give Zimbabweans information about cars, pros and cons, what’s suitable for our country and what’s not.

THZ: What are your future plans.

IV: In the future I intend to take advocacy work to remote areas. I want to promote and support kids with disabilities and assist them to realize their full potential by all means necessary. I also want to work towards transforming the media sector to become one of the biggest advocacy channels not only for people with disabilities, but all the vulnerable and marginalized population segments of Zimbabwe.