Those who still believe that disability is a stumbling block to success have a good lesson to learn from Mr Enos Mukhovhi (77) of Tshififi village outside Sibasa.

Mukhovhi is a zealous achiever, who has put his disability aside to set a shining example by becoming a torchbearer for the disabled members of his community.

Mukhovhi became disabled when his arm and left leg were totally cut off during a train accident in 1967. Although he was fortunate to receive an artificial leg, Mukhovhi continues to leave his disability aside and do everything on his own, including working in his vegetable garden. During summer, Mukhovhi plants vegetables and tomatoes, which he sells to the public to supplement his disability grant.

In an exclusive interview, Mukhovhi said it was his dedication and hard work that helped him to achieve his goals, despite his disability. “My future is in my hands and I don’t want to depend on handouts and a disability grant for survival. Most of the community members look down upon disabled people because they think we are useless. It is only our bodies that are deformed, but our minds are razor sharp. Time for sleeping is over and we need to be strong enough to realize our dreams. Disability has never been an excuse for self-development. Why stay at home and wait for the government’s disability grant? The money is too little and it cannot cater for all my needs.”

He remembers the fateful Wednesday which changed his life in 1967. “I was working on a railway line when a communication breakdown with my co-workers led to the accident. I was busy fixing the line when a train emerged from nowhere and moved over me. People thought I was dead and the next thing I could remember was the hospital bed in which I spent nine months. I thank God because He spared my life.”